Public Health Preparedness Planning
Public health preparedness planning requires a firm understanding of the needs of citizens at a local level. It is through OPHP's relationships with local health departments and Tribal governments that the office is able to strategically and effectively plan for all hazards across the State of Michigan. In addition, OPHP partners with federal and other state agencies for surveillance, testing, and response to Michigan's health threats.
Local Health Departments
Through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) cooperative agreement, Michigan's forty-five local health departments receive earmarked funding for emergency preparedness. OPHP regularly communicates with each of the local health department's emergency preparedness coordinators. Since 2002, local jurisdictions have established and refined their all-hazards response plans.
Tribal Governments
There are twelve federally recognized Indian Tribes in the State of Michigan. Each sovereign tribe has an independent relationship with each other and with the state. The State of Michigan and Tribal governments share a responsibility to provide for and protect the health, safety and welfare of our common constituents.
OPHP Communications
There is a difference between tactical communication and risk communication; tactical communications refers to the modes of communication used between responders during an emergency, such as radio systems. Risk communication involves public information designed to warn and keep the public informed of the actions they need to take to be safe during an emergency.
Tactical Communications
OPHP has access to an extensive amount of tactical communication resources. These resources include various software applications (including the Michigan Health Alert Network), landline phones, cell phones, faxes, text pagers, multiple radio systems, and video/web conferencing. 
- Michigan Health Alert Network (MIHAN)
The MIHAN is a web-based system for immediate alerting and notification. The MIHAN has over 4,000 users from public health, hospitals, life support agencies, health clinics, emergency management, state departments, federal agencies and other partners.
Risk Communications
Risk communication is the capacity to provide accurate, credible, actionable, and timely information to the public in culturally and linguistically appropriate ways. It involves developing, coordinating, and disseminating information to the public, partners, and vulnerable populations. Effective risk communication takes collaboration among partners and responders so that the best delivery channels can be utilized to keep everyone informed. OPHP has numerous risk communication strategiesfor providing information during emergencies across all populations.
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The Michigan Strategic National Stockpile (MISNS) Program
The Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) is a national repository of life-saving pharmaceuticals and medical supplies designed to protect the American public during a public health emergency severe enough to deplete state and local assets. Michigan is well-prepared to receive and distribute these assets and has consistently received the highest marks from the federal government for its state and local strategic national stockpile planning efforts. Partnerships with private entities have proven extremely valuable in identifying resources to serve the citizens in Michigan.
School Preparedness and Response Curriculum
Many tools and guidelines have been developed to support schools in response to an emergency, while few resources are devoted to teach children preparedness skills. In 2007, state officials recognized the importance of developing a Michigan School Preparedness and Response Curriculum. Collaboration among the Michigan Departments of Community Health, State Police and Education produced an all-hazards curriculum, which is aligned and integrated with the Michigan Model for Health and Michigan's Grade-Level Content Expectations. This K-12 curriculum includes lessons related to emergency preparedness and skills, awareness of hazards and disasters, preventing dangerous situations, post-event coping skills, identifying helpful or harmful influences, and respect and citizenship. The purpose of the School Preparedness and Curriculum is to provide Michigan's children the tools and resources to prepare, respond to, and recover from an emergency. More information can be found at Central Michigan University's Educational Materials Center website.
MDCH Bureau of Laboratories
The Bureau of Laboratories (BOL)provides rapid diagnostic and analytical testing services for biological agents in human and environmental samples and rapid analytical testing for chemical agents in human samples due to an accidental, intentional, or natural disaster. Laboratory services are coordinated with local health departments, MDCH Bureau of Epidemiology, MDA and/or MDEQ, as appropriate. BOL's network of partners and areas of research makes the bureau an invaluable information source for OPHP's operations.
MDCH Bureau of Disease Control, Prevention, and Epidemiology
The Bureau of Disease Control, Prevention, and Epidemiologyhas successfully implemented several innovative systems for tracking and investigating communicable disease occurrence. In their entirety, they represent a new landscape in infectious disease surveillance in the State and region. OPHP regularly communicates with the bureau to ensure the proper steps are being taken to prepare for any emerging health threats in Michigan.
