Public health emergency preparedness cooperative agreement - the purpose of the project is to build and strengthen the capacity and capability of florida's public health systems to prepare for,…

Public health emergency preparedness cooperative agreement - the purpose of the project is to build and strengthen the capacity and capability of florida's public health systems to prepare for, respond to, and recover from all public health threats and emergencies. This system should build upon the current practices of emergency management within florida. This will be achieved by utilizing risk assessments to determine risks, gaps, and needs then applying the preparedness cycle of planning, organizing, equipping, training, exercising and evaluation to build or strengthen florida's capacity and capability to respond and recover from public health threats. Over the five-year project period local and state entities will be expected to strengthen and sustain the public health emergency preparedness capabilities that support florida's public health systems ability to respond and recover from public health threats and emergencies. To guide and monitor these entities, the department has established county health department preparedness expectations which require annual work plans and quarterly evaluations to demonstrate progress towards improving preparedness. State-level entities are expected to improve preparedness through the agency performance management council which monitors program metrics. Outcomes will include: 1. Established state and local public health preparedness systems 2. Continuous improvement cycle to evaluate the public health and medical system to identify gaps and develop options for consideration 3. Strengthen florida's public health systems ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from all public health threats and emergencies