Center for Emergency Preparedness

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) Center for Emergency Preparedness (CEP) coordinates Alabama’s health, medical, and social services in the event of public health threats and emergencies.

Reporting Emergencies After Hours

To report a public health emergency after normal business hours or during weekends or holidays, contact the CEP at (334) 239-1556.

Emergency Response Planning in Alabama

As outlined in the state of Alabama’s Emergency Operations Plan, ADPH is the lead agency in Emergency Support Function (ESF) 8, which includes all medical aspects of an emergency response. ADPH also serves as the support agency for healthcare organizations that provide direct patient care in an emergency response.

Emergency Preparedness Teams

Each of ADPH’s public health districts has an Emergency Preparedness Team devoted to preparedness planning. Team members include some combination of the following roles:

• Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
• Disease Intervention Director
• Senior Environmentalist
• Surveillance Nurse
• Administrative Support Assistant
• Social Worker

Alabama ReadyOp Volunteer Response System

The Alabama ReadyOp Volunteer Response System, a partnership between the Alabama Governor’s Office of Volunteer Services and ADPH, is Alabama’s online system for managing public health and medical disaster volunteer responders. This system supports personnel who may be utilized during disasters, all-hazard response efforts, and public health activities. Learn more and register at Alabama ReadyOp.

Learning Content Management System

The Learning Content Management System (LCMS) is the main source for ADPH-sponsored training and exercises. LCMS is a web-based system utilizing an online registration process and offers on-demand access to many training opportunities. There are a variety of courses currently available. Access LCMS to learn more.

Communication Tools

In emergency situations, communication among responders is critical. The following tools are designed to provide reliable channels for responding agencies to access up-to-date information.

• The Alabama Incident Management System (AIMS) is a computer software program that allows ADPH to monitor hospitals, nursing homes, ambulance resources, medical-needs shelters, and community health centers during times of disaster. If an emergency situation occurs that warrants the standing up of the State Incident Command System, healthcare providers may be asked to enter requested resource data on the AIMS website. This data will be used to assist healthcare organizations and coordinate the medical portion of the emergency response. For more information, visit the Office of Emergency Medical Services. For information regarding liability, please refer to the Emergency Management Act (Alabama Code – Article 1, Sections 31-9-1 through 31-9-4).
• The Alabama Emergency Response Technology (ALERT) system is a secure, Internet-based emergency notification system. When emergencies occur, the ALERT system notifies first responders and emergency preparedness teams. Accounts are limited to CEP and other designated staff, and messages are sent on a need-to-know basis to contacts listed on a roster of ADPH employees and others. Accounts and the roster are maintained by CEP staff.

Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program

The Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) doctrine consists of fundamental principles that frame a common approach to emergency response exercises. The intent is to enhance consistency in the way exercises are conducted and evaluated while ensuring the exercises remain a flexible, accessible way to improve preparedness. These principles, which are used in exercises by ADPH, include:

• Senior Leader Guidance
• Informed by Risk
• Capability-Based, Objective-Driven
• Progressive Exercise Planning Approach
• Whole Community Integration
• Common Methodology

High-Consequence Infectious Disease Network

The High-Consequence Infectious Disease Network (HCIDN) is a conglomeration of Alabama facilities prepared to safely provide the appropriate care and management of patients with potentially highly infectious diseases. Alabama uses a tiered approach to identify patients presenting with diseases of concern and to coordinate the appropriate response among local, state, and federal partners.

Visit High-Consequence Infectious Disease Network for more information