Protect Iowa Health Day Encourages Iowans to Prepare for Public Health Emergencies
In the wake of the recent floods and severe weather, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) continues its statewide emergency preparedness campaign with Protect Iowa Health Day at the Iowa State Fair on Wednesday, August 13, 2008. This summer’s devastation is a tragic reminder of the importance of being prepared for public health emergencies.
Protect Iowa Health aims to make Iowans aware of potential public health emergencies, how to individually prepare for them, and what to do if one should occur. Protect Iowa Health is a collaborative effort between the state’s local public health agencies, emergency medical services and hospitals.
An easy-to-use guidebook is available to all Iowans. It features information on the public’s role in prevention and control of health emergencies, creating a communications plan in case of emergency, assembling an emergency supply kit and how to cope with an emergency. The guidebook is available in English and Spanish. More than 2,500 requests for the guidebooks and other services were received from Iowans during the floods.
Guidebooks will be available at the IDPH booth on the Grand Concourse at the 2008 Iowa State Fair. It is also available by calling 866-339-7906 or logging onto www.protectiowahealth.org.
“The tornados and flooding Iowa experienced this summer has emphasized the need for disaster preparedness for individuals and families,” said IDPH Director Tom Newton. “This campaign encourages people to be prepared and discuss action steps for any emergency.”
From 1989 to 2005, Iowa suffered 18 major disasters — from tornadoes to chemical plant explosions. All 99 Iowa counties have had at least one disaster in the past ten years.
For more information on individual preparation for a public health emergency, log onto www.protectiowahealth.org.