Disaster Plan Information
All levels of government share the responsibility for working together in preparing for, preventing, responding to, and recovering from the effects of a major incident. The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is the lead agency for Emergency Support Function 8: Health & Medical Services (ESF #8). Included in ESF #8 are medical care and public health services that are essential elements of any major incident response. The intent of ESF #8 is to supplement county and local governments affected by the emergency or disaster by using resources primarily available from the DHHS and supporting departments and agencies to ESF #8.
Information about the causes of natural and man-made disasters, what to do in an emergency, and where to seek help in an emergency are key to overcoming the potential hazards associated with emergencies. The plans are dedicated to providing helpful and informative resources and information specific to DHHS in the areas of disease, natural disaster, terrorism and other emergency threats.
Utah Public Health Jurisdictional Risk Assessment – 2019 Statewide Report
The Jurisdictional Risk Assessment (JRA) is a public health focused approach to understanding all hazards Utah may face and prioritizing which would cause the biggest risk to our population and health infrastructure. Highest risk is a combination of many factors, including jurisdictional characteristics and vulnerabilities, hazard probability and impact scores, as well as mitigation efforts already in place. Public health preparedness and response teams and partners will benefit from using the outcomes of this tool on a regular basis to ensure those hazards that pose the most risk are better understood and planned for. This JRA Statewide Report is meant to be used to identify existing gaps and help determine future hazard‐specific planning, training, and exercise activities that should be conducted with public health preparedness partners.
Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)
The State of Utah, in accordance with the Emergency Management Act 53-2a, is required to prepare for, respond, and recover from emergencies or disasters. The State of Utah Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), using NIMS concepts and principles, addresses the consequences of any incidents in which there is a need for State resources in providing prevention, preparedness, response and/or recovery assistance activities. The EOP is divided into 16 Emergency Support Functions (ESF). DHHS is the primary agency for ESF #8 Public Health and Medical Services.
State of Utah EOP ESF 8 – Public Health and Medical Services
State of Utah EOP ESF 8 Appendix 1 – NDMS Activation
State of Utah EOP ESF 8 Appendix 2 – Public Health
State of Utah EOP ESF 8 Appendix 3 – Medical Countermeasure Management
The DHHS’s Emergency Operations Plan details the functions and responsibilities of DHHS assets during the preparedness, response, and recovery phases of emergency/disaster operations. This plan establishes a department organizational structure for emergency/disaster response. It also describes the concepts and policies under which the department agencies will operate during emergencies/disasters. In addition, the plan provides for coordination with other state and local agencies. Due to the nature and size of this plan it is not available on the website.
Infectious Disease Emergency Response (IDER) Plan
The purpose of the Infectious Disease Emergency Response Plan is to provide guidance for containing an outbreak of disease caused by an infectious organism or a biological toxin, or responding to other infectious disease emergencies by DHHS. Infectious disease emergencies, such as pandemic influenza or bioterrorism event, have the potential to cause widespread illness and death. Infectious disease emergencies range from naturally occurring outbreaks of illness (e.g., measles, pertussis, hepatitis A, meningococcal disease) to emerging infectious diseases (e.g., SARS, avian influenza) or intentional acts of bioterrorism (e.g., anthrax).
The CHEMPACK program serves to augment existing local capabilities to respond to incidents involving chemical nerve agent or organophosphate release. It consists of the forward-placement of sixteen (16) containers of nerve agent antidotes at fifteen (15) different sites. CHEMPACK is designated to treat exposed and symptomatic victims, NOT prevent individuals from becoming ill.
EMS CHEMPACKs Contain 454 treatments and Hospital CHEMPACKs Contain 1000 treatments. CHEMPACKs include these medications:
- Mark 1 auto-injector
- Antidote Treatment Nerve Agent Auto-Injector (EMS CHEMPACK only)
- Pralidoxime 300mg auto-injector
- Pralidoxime 1gm inj 20ml
- Atropine Sulfate 0.4mg/ml 20ml
- Atropen 0.5mg
- Atropen 1.0mg
- Atropen 2.0mg
- Diazepam 5mg/ml auto-injector
- Seilzalam (Midazolam) 5mg/ml vial, 10ml
- Diazepam 5mg/ml vial, 10ml
For any questions regarding DHHS emergency plans or resources please contact the Preparedness Program at 801 273-6666, Option 3 or email at healthcarepreparedness@utah.gov.