A recent episode of the “County Conversation” podcast focused on Fairfax County’s emergency preparedness efforts and protecting community health during emergencies of all types.
Our Health Department’s Division of Emergency Preparedness and Response serves as the frontline defense in protecting public health during emergencies. With a mission to prepare for, mitigate, respond to and recover from health emergencies, the division plays a vital role in ensuring community safety and resilience.
The division’s work extends beyond traditional health emergencies to encompass preparation for various scenarios that could affect public health, from natural disasters to biosecurity threats. This comprehensive approach reflects the complex needs of a diverse community.
A Division Built on Diversity
The Division of Emergency Preparedness and Response brings together experts from various backgrounds, including public health, sustainability, mental health, social work and telecommunications. This diverse expertise allows them to approach emergency preparedness from multiple angles, ensuring comprehensive coverage of community needs.
“I’m very proud to have been the first person to start this community preparedness program,” says Kadhambari Sridhar, community engagement manager, who joined the team in 2022. “I think it’s interesting to see that the Health Department has been focused on emergency preparedness even before a lot of the other local public health agencies have been, thanks to some very good leadership that we have in place.”
All-Hazards Approach
The division takes an all-hazards approach to emergency preparedness, meaning they prepare for various types of emergencies, including:
- Natural disasters
- Man-made disasters
- Large-scale accidents
- Disease outbreaks
- Health emergencies
Their primary focus is ensuring that health impacts are minimized during any emergency. This includes protecting the community’s health and preventing secondary health issues from developing during a crisis.
Community Engagement and Collaboration
One of the division’s most important initiatives is building strong relationships with both community members and other government agencies.
“From a community perspective, as a resident, I want them to look at us as Fairfax County, not Fairfax County Health Department, not Fairfax County Emergency Management or Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services.”
The division works closely with numerous county agencies, including:
- Department of Emergency Management and Security
- Neighborhood and Community Services
- Community Services Board
- 9-1-1 Call Center
- Other health and human services organizations
Focus on Health Equity
A crucial aspect of their work is ensuring that traditionally underserved communities receive adequate support during emergencies. The division recognizes that certain communities may be disproportionately affected during crises and works to address these disparities through targeted outreach and education.
This commitment to health equity is demonstrated through specific initiatives, such as their work with the Latinx community. They have identified and addressed barriers that might prevent some community members from accessing emergency services. For example, they recently collaborated with the 9-1-1 call center to address concerns within the undocumented community.
The division’s approach to health equity includes:
- Targeted outreach to underserved communities
- Collaboration with cultural organizations
- Provision of language access services
- Educational programs addressing specific community concerns
- Partnership with other county agencies to provide comprehensive support
By focusing on health equity in their preparedness efforts, the division works to ensure that all county residents, regardless of their background or circumstances, have access to essential emergency services and information when they need it most.
Division of Emergency Preparedness and Response
For more information on the Health Department’s Division of Emergency Preparedness and Response, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/emergency. You can also email hdepr@fairfaxcounty.gov if you have additional questions or would like to request a presentation or a workshop.
The County Conversation Podcast
The “County Conversation” is a podcast featuring employees and subject matter experts from the Fairfax County Government discussing programs, services and items of interest to residents of Fairfax County. Listen to past episodes of “County Conversation.” To find other county podcasts, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts.
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