Emergency Preparedness and Response

The Prince William Health District (PWHD) Emergency Preparedness and Response (EP&R) Division is responsible for preventing, preparing for, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating public health emergencies.  Utilizing the National Incident Management System and Incident Command System principles to organize public health emergencies, EP&R is well-equipped to coordinate and organize complex public health emergencies.

EP&R also oversees the Greater Prince William Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) program.  This program trains volunteers to support in public health emergencies.  The MRC volunteers can assist community healthcare partners in training and exercise.  To request MRC volunteers, email PrinceWilliamMRC@vdh.virginia.gov.

The PWHD is the lead agency for Emergency Support Function 8 (ESF-8), Public Health and Medical Services, within the local Emergency Operation Centers in Prince William County, Manassas City, and Manassas Park.  ESF-8 works with local emergency management, critical healthcare partners, and regional, state, and federal partners to minimize the public health impacts during an emergency.  The PWHD EP&R Division has many responsibilities, to include but not limited to:

• Providing medical countermeasures for essential personnel and the public
• Provide staff support to local agencies
• Support and coordinate resource requests from critical healthcare partners
• Participate in drills and exercises to enhance the all-hazards approach to PWHD emergency response

The PWHD is accredited by the National Association of County and City Health Officials’ Project Public Health Ready.  PPHR is a competency-based training and recognition program that assesses preparedness and assists local health departments to respond to public health emergencies.  Through a continuous quality improvement model, this accreditation showcases the preparedness capacity and capability of the PWHD.