We are Planning

At the heart of any effective emergency response is a plan.  McHenry County Department of Health has a plan to help the County respond to and recover from many different types of Public Health disasters.   Because we can’t know beforehand what events may befall us in a disaster, our plan takes an “All-Hazards” approach, allowing us to quickly put in place the parts of our plan necessary to react to unfolding events.

The MCDH Emergency Response Plan is an evolving document and we are constantly making improvements to our plan.  As new information becomes available, or as new threats emerge that we must face, we incorporate them into our plan.

The MCDH Emergency Response Plan is a part of the overall McHenry County Disaster Plan.  McHenry County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency has the responsibility of coordinating the overall planning efforts for McHenry County Government.  They ensure that agencies work together to keep McHenry County safe.

We are Practicing

No plan is effective if it sits on a shelf.  It is important to us that the plans we put on paper are plans that can be executed if and when they are needed.  That is why the Health Department is engaged in a vigorous exercise program.  We conduct regularly scheduled exercises to test various aspects of our emergency response plan.

Our exercises involve critical response partners from other agencies within McHenry County and the Chicago land region, as well as MCDH staff members.

We are Training

The Health Department will operate differently during an emergency than it does on a day to day basis.  The exact changes will depend on the type of emergency we face.  Specific training has been developed to teach MCDH staff the new roles they may need to fulfill during emergencies. 

As part of the emergency response program, the MCDH Medical Reserve Corps has received training to better enable them in assisting the Health Department and the McHenry County medical community in an emergency.

We are Educating

Ensuring that we all understand what may happen in a public health emergency is important.  MCDH has issued three volumes of an emergency preparedness newsletter to inform the public about issues that may affect them.  We’re educating our staff about how to prepare for and respond to a public health emergency.  If your group is interested in learning more about preparedness issues, the emergency preparedness team is available to speak to your group.  Call the Health Department at 815-334-4510 for more information.

We are Recruiting

In a large scale emergency, volunteers will be needed to assist the Health Department in keeping the County safe and healthy. The McHenry County Department of Health is enrolling those who are willing to help.  Medical and non-medical volunteers are needed.  Click here to sign up today!

McHenry County Online ~ MCDH Online

McHenry County Department of Health
2200 N Seminary Ave, Annex A
Woodstock, Illinois 60098

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