The Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County (DOH–St. Johns) was recognized nationally as a "Project Public Health Ready" certified county health department in 2010 and 2015.

Project Public Health Ready (PPHR) is a national criteria-based public health preparedness program that assesses local health department capacity and capability to plan for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies.  We stand ready to serve our community in any emergency, such as staffing Special Needs Shelters when tropical storms or wildfires force evacuations, or operating Points of Dispensing or Mass Vaccination clinics to protect the public from disease outbreaks or epidemics.

St. Johns County residents are encouraged to prepare well in advance of disasters. Make a plan for yourself, family members, and pets so that everyone knows what to do in an emergency.  Assemble an Emergency Supply Kit of important papers, supplies, and medications that you will need with you if you have to evacuate your home.  Be Informed before, during, and after a disaster.

The State of Florida Division of Emergency Management provides an interactive online tool, Get a Plan!, to help families and businesses stay prepared. This useful tool allows you to answer a series of questions and create a customized plan. More information to help you get prepared is available on the St. Johns County Emergency Management website. This is also where you can register for Special Needs Sheltering and transportation assistance to shelters in emergencies and find maps to the general population, pet friendly, and special needs shelters.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also offers several on-line courses to help citizens prepare for all-hazards. These web-based courses are free of charge and have lots of good information:

• An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness 
• Community Hurricane Preparedness (revised October 2013)

Residents interested in volunteering to help during and after public health and medical emergencies may contact DOH–St. Johns Disaster Preparedness and Response Planner at 904-209-3250.

Additional Resources

Additional important resources for disaster planning and preparedness information for individuals, businesses, families, children, and persons with disabilities can be found on these sites:

• LibraryOfCongress.gov—Disaster Preparedness for persons with Access and Functional Needs
• FloridaHealth.gov—Disaster Preparedness for persons who are Electric Dependent (PDF, 79KB)
• FloridaHealth.gov—Emergency Preparedness and Response
• Ready.gov—Plan ahead for disasters

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