Facts About Public Health Preparedness in South Carolina

tactics against terrorism logoThe random nature of man-made and natural disasters demands that South Carolina have the people, equipment and training in place to detect, track, and respond appropriately to emergencies. By doing so, agencies such as DHEC can help prepare and protect the people of our state. Using federal grants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Health Resources Services Administration, DHEC is helping local health departments and hospitals develop disaster plans and heighten awareness in their communities. This planning will make public health better prepared to respond to health emergencies anywhere in the state. There are numerous advancements that have been made as a result of this effort, including:

1. Improved Disease Control

DHEC has hired disease control specialists for each of the state's twelve health districts. These trained professionals help track and investigate a disease to help the medical community control its spreads.

Investment in an Internet-based disease-reporting system reduces healthcare providers' response time to outbreaks of infectious disease. The system, CHESS or Carolina’s Health Electronic Surveillance System, is in operation in every area of the state.

In conjunction with federal, state, local and private agencies, DHEC participates in statewide training exercises for first responders (Emergency Medical Services, police, fire, hospitals) to practice the appropriate ways to respond to disease outbreaks.

DHEC has established response plans for pandemic outbreaks of influenza, smallpox and other diseases, as well as plans to access and distribute drugs from the Strategic National Stockpile.

2. Improved Bureau of Laboratories

DHEC's laboratory facilities are able to test for biological agents that could be used intentionally as weapons against public health. Also, the CDC grant has enabled the laboratory to test human tissue samples for chemical weapons agents. The improvements allow DHEC to determine when biological or chemical weapons were used, enabling a more appropriate response.

3. South Carolina Community Assessment Network's Geographic Information System

The agency has developed a geographic information system that includes a unique interactive mapping service, available through the DHEC website homepage. This service is a valuable tool for any family developing its own emergency response plan. The maps help users identify evacuation routes, healthcare providers, emergency shelters and many other resources across the state. The site is also a very informative research tool that complements information provided by other organizations.

The CDC's Emergency Preparedness and Response site includes explanations of the various biological, chemical and radiological threats linked to natural and man-made disasters. Also, you can learn more about planning for your family's safety in an emergency.

The American Red Cross has information on its website to help you establish a plan for your family's or employees' safety during an emergency. There is also information for persons with special needs.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's site is a common sense framework designed to help you learn about preparedness.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has partnered with the Homeownership Alliance to develop the Emergency Preparedness Guide (pdf) for protecting your family and your home. The guide includes information about emergency supplies you should keep on hand, planning for emergencies, and it identified specific threats associated with terrorism.

The S.C. Emergency Management Division is the state's lead agency for emergency preparedness and response. Information on the agency's website addresses several topics of interest, including the types of weapons used by terrorists, how to recognize a terrorist incident, and an explanation of some of the actions of emergency responders in a terrorist event.

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