The West Piedmont Health District Office of Emergency Preparedness coordinates the response of the local health departments to any public health emergency through preparation, collaboration, education, and rapid intervention. We work with local, regional, and state emergency response partners to enhance readiness and response to infectious disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies. Some response measures include monitoring and surveillance of all reportable communicable diseases and investigation of disease outbreaks within the community; dispensing of medication; and immunization to limit disease transmission.
Other areas of responsibility include:
- managing the region's cache from the Strategic National Stockpile;
- working with partners to create strong emergency sheltering plans so people have a safe place to go after a catastrophic event;
- helping event coordinators create strong emergency and safety plans for public events such as fairs and concerts, and assisting them to prepare event plans that fit well with the county and city plans, as well as COVID-19 guidelines set by the CDC, VDH, and the Governor of Virginia.
Be prepared!
- The Public Health Emergency Coordinator is available to speak at meetings, clubs, and school events to discuss and teach personal disaster preparedness and business continuity during disasters and emergencies. To schedule a visit or presentation, contact Jeanette Losee or call 540-484-0292.
- Ready.gov is a great resource with a wealth of information about preparing for and responding to emergencies of all kinds.
- For severe weather preparedness information go to www.vdh.virginia.gov/news/public-relations-contacts/severe-weather-preparedness/.
- For winter weather preparedness information go to www.vdh.virginia.gov/news/public-relations-contacts/winter-weather-preparedness/.
If you are interested in volunteering, visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/mrc to learn about and/or apply to the Medical Reserve Corps.
The West Piedmont Health District Office of Emergency Preparedness consists of the Emergency Coordinator and Epidemiologist.
Local Health Emergency Coordinator -- Jeanette Losee
District Epidemiologist – Sharon Ortiz-García