The Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program (PHEP) enhances the capacity of the Department of Public Health to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from the adverse health effects of public health emergencies and disasters.
Location 5115 El Paso Dr. El Paso, TX 79905 Phone: 915-212-6624 Fax: 915-212-6520
Hours of Operation Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The CDC’s Strategic National Stockpile is the nation’s largest supply of potentially life-saving medications and medical supplies for use in a public health emergency severe enough to cause local supplies to run out. The stockpile ensures the right medicines and supplies are available when and where needed to save lives.
The SNS includes medicine and medical supplies that can prevent or treat diseases related to a public health emergency. With access to these, the stockpile can respond to:
Points of dispensing (POD) are pre-identified sites strategically distributed throughout the city where the public can pick up medications to protect them against a threat during public health emergencies.
There are two types of PODs:
How to prepare to attend a POD?
Steps to follow to receive medication at a POD
STEAR is a free and voluntary service that helps local emergency responders have access to critical information when a disaster strikes. Information provided during registration is shared with emergency planners and emergency responders to help ensure El Paso and County residents with access and functional needs have the services they need in an emergency.
All information provided is confidential.
Individuals encouraged to register in STEAR are as follows:
El Paso residents may register using the following methods:
Staff will be available for in-person registration assistance at the following locations:
For more information call 211, visit ElPasoReady.org or see the Press Release
People are continuously exposed to radiation from natural sources such as cosmic rocks and soil, food, water, air, etc. However, other sources such as airline travel, medical procedures, fallout from past nuclear weapons testing, and radiation emergencies can also expose individuals to high levels of radiation.
Please join us at the upcoming Radiation Preparedness Training Sessions. In order to register please go to www.preparingtexas.org. Please see the instructions on how to create an account to be able to register.
What will the health department do in an emergency dealing with radiation?
Depending on the incident and radioactive material involved, the health department will assist in the response by setting up a Community Reception Center to:
Infographic Improvised Nuclear Device Infographic Nuclear Power Plant Infographic Nuclear Weapon Infographic Radiological Dispersal Device Infographic Radiological Exposure Device Infographic Transportation Accidents Infographic Workplace Radiation Incidents
During a disaster, it has been observed that certain at-risk individuals, specifically those with access and functional needs, have required additional response assistance before during, and after an incident. Examples of persons with access and functional needs include but are not limited to:
Dependent on the incident, local officials and first responders may become overwhelmed and may not be able to reach everyone. However, businesses, faith-based organizations, and community groups working with persons with access and functional needs can help us reach those public sectors by participating in our Community Outreach Information Network, EP| COIN.
What type of challenges do you face during an emergency? We want to know! Learn More!