The Department of Health this week today kicked off National Public Health Week and urged Pennsylvanians to better educate themselves to prepare for any type of public health emergency – from a natural disaster to an outbreak of disease.

Health Secretary Dr. Calvin B. Johnson also unveiled new public health preparedness initiatives: an updated version of the Pennsylvania Emergency Preparedness Guide; and the State Emergency Registry of Volunteers in Pennsylvania (SERVPA), a new web-based tool for the advanced registration of emergency volunteers statewide.

“Now is the time to start thinking about what you, your family and your community would do during a public health emergency or any disaster,” Health Secretary Dr. Calvin B. Johnson said while launching the campaign at a Preparedness Expo here. “Preparation is especially important for people with special needs, mothers with small children, schools and older Pennsylvanians.

“Preparation begins just by assembling an emergency kit, making an emergency plan and staying informed.”

For more information, visit the Public Health Preparedness and Volunteer Registry webpages.

NewsClip: Health Department Unveils Online Volunteer Registry

4/6/2007