Community Partners

Jackson County Public Health works alongside community partners to strengthen our ability to respond to public health crises. This includes state and federal partners as well as local community organizations, faith-based organizations, businesses, schools, long-term care facilities, emergency responders and more.

If you are interested in partnering with us, please email askjcph@uhkc.org.

Jackson County Public Health Emergency Preparedness works to educate the public and train county response partners in:

Integrated Shelter Support
Isolation and Quarantine
Mass Fatality
Mass Vaccination and Mass Prophylaxis
Medical Surge
Strategic National Stockpile Planning
Conduct drills and exercises to test plans

Jackson County Health Public Health’s Emergency Preparedness role in an emergency can consist of:

Local coordination of resources
Operation of Point of Dispensing Sites (PODs)
Medical countermeasure distribution and dispensing
Informing the public about health issues
Disease surveillance
Maintaining environmental security
Conducting local planning efforts
Partnering with community efforts

Point of Dispensing Sites (PODs)

A Point of Dispensing Site or POD site is where vaccines, antibiotics, and other medications or supplies can be quickly dispensed to a large number of people. A POD may be opened to prevent exposure to an infectious disease, treat a disease outbreak, or in response to a disaster with health safety implications.

A POD is designed to:

- Dispense vaccines or medication quickly and accurately
- Maintain a safe environment for staff and the public
- Serve all clients, including those with functional needs (language and
  literacy barriers, physical and cognitive disabilities, elders and children, etc.)
- Expand or contract to the needs of the operations
- Provide adequate staffing for the duration of the operations

A POD is NOT designed to:

- Provide services found at a healthcare facility or clinic
- Provide extensive medical treatment or evaluation
- Treat symptomatic individuals

Becoming a POD partner is a significant step in helping protect the health and safety of your organization, family, and community. With your partnership, JCPH can provide medication to affected individuals in our community within 48 hours of a public health incident.

As a partner, your role will include:

Allowing JCPH access to your facility during an emergency
Participating in notification drills
Providing 24/7 emergency contact information and a list of key personnel
Providing floor plans and general layout of the POD location, including parking

If your organization would like to provide volunteers at a POD site, they must participate in a POD training provided by JCPH. Training will be provided during the POD activation.

Please email askjcph@uhkc.org to get started, or click the button to view a flyer with more information.