Goals 

We work to reduce health threats from natural and human-caused disasters; Prepare for and respond to health aspects of disasters and help communities recover from them.

Activities

We plan for County-wide health related disasters: Educate people in our communities; Conduct disaster drills; Plan the Health Care Agency’s disaster operations. We work with any organization that wants to become better prepared for health-related disasters. Click the buttons above for more information on what we do, and what you can do to get better prepared.

Emergency Alert Radio Stations

• KVTA 1590 AM
• KHAY 100.7 FM
• KMLA 103.7 FM (SPANISH)

Get Ready 

Being prepared for emergencies is the most important thing we can do to protect our communities, ourselves and our loved ones. In a recent national survey, 91% of Americans agreed they could protect themselves and their families with some simple actions. But only 54% have taken even one of three simple steps. “Ready Ventura County” lists the main things you can do to be ready for an emergency:

• Prepare
• Plan
• Stay Informed
• Get Involved! Learn More About What You Can Do

Other Readiness Resources

• Drop, Cover, and Hold On Videos
• Report: When Every Drop Counts: Protecting Public Health During Drought Conditions
• Older Americans Plan 
• People with Disabilities and Special Needs Plan 
• Plan for your Pets

Pandemics 

Find out about the 1918 pandemic and why it matters today.

Pandemic flu is not the same illness as “seasonal flu” we see nearly every year. Pandemic flu outbreaks are far more serious and occur unpredictably. Pandemic flu outbreaks happened at least three times during the Twentieth Century. They will happen again. These outbreaks happen when a new kind of influenza virus emerges that spreads quickly between people around the world. They can happen very fast, especially in this age of airline travel.

A completely new flu virus causes more illnesses and deaths than seasonal flu. We have no protection (immunity) against new viruses, and it will take a while to develop a vaccine.

We don’t know how serious or deadly a pandemic will be, but history shows they can be very serious. Our best defense is for everyone to become informed, aware and prepared. The information at the following web sites and links can help you become better prepared and help you know what to do if and when a pandemic occurs.

Outbreak Response

During a public health emergency, such as a large-scale disease outbreak or bioterrorism event, we may provide antibiotics or vaccines to everyone in the County who may have been exposed. We may set up Points of Dispensing (POD) sites to distribute medications. If we ever set up POD Sites, we will do everything we can to inform everyone in the community about what to do. You will be able to call 211 and listen to radio or TV for instructions for your nearest location. You may even get a call from Ventura County’s Reverse 911 system giving you instructions. If you are told to come to a POD Site, bring the following information for yourself and each person in your home.

• A list of medical conditions.
• A list of current medications.
• A list of allergies.
• Weights and ages of all individuals.
• Any other information (forms) that we might ask you to bring.

Medications are free when dispensed in response to a local, state or nationally declared emergency. Only people who may have been exposed to the illness or disease would receive the medications. Routine medical care is not provided at POD Sites.

Special Needs 

Here are some Emergency Preparedness Topics accessible to people who are deaf, blind, or have limited sight.

Visit the American Red Cross’s web site for people with disabilities for tips on how to survive a disaster. Also visit the Ready.gov web site on information and videos for helping people with special needs.

Additional Resources

• PandemicFlu.gov News Feed
• Ventura County Sheriff: Office of Emergency Services
• Ventura County Environmental Services Disaster Preparedness
• Maps of Natural Disaster Hazards in Ventura County
• Be Prepared California
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Emergency Preparedness
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Emergency Preparedness and Response
• Los Angeles County Emergency Preparedness (Lots of multi-lingual resources

Find out how to be prepared for emergencies at: