Emergency Response

Public Health Role

Homeland Security Presidential Directive #7 (HSPD-7): "Critical Infrastructure Identification, Priority and Protection" officially designated the public health and medical systems of our nation as critical infrastructure.   As a result, Homeland Security Presidential Directive #8 (HSPD-8): "National Preparedness" assigned the public health profession the role of "first responder " in the event of a disaster or catastrophic health event resulting from either natural or man-made causes. 

Under the guidelines of the Oklahoma Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), public health is required to establish procedures for responses to the environmental, health and medical needs of the State of Oklahoma in the event of a man-made or natural emergency. OSDH is required to coordinate with the federal government for assistance provided under the National Response Framework (NRF) Emergency Support Function (ESF) #8, Public Health and Medical Services.  To view the "Oklahoma Public Health and Medical Response System Emergency Response Plan" click here.

The Commissioner of Health is responsible for coordination of all state health and medical services in response to man-made or natural disasters. The scope of medical and health services will be adjusted to the size and type of disaster. The Department of Health works with a variety of support agencies and medical system partners in order to respond to emergencies affecting the health and medical needs of the citizens of Oklahoma. The Commissioner of Health is required to keep the Governor, the Director of Emergency Management and Director of the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security informed of the status of medical and health services during emergency operations.

In accordance with the Oklahoma Catastrophic Health Emergency Powers Act (O.S. 63:6101), the Oklahoma Catastrophic Health Emergency Plan was developed as an addendum to ESF-8. Its purpose is to prepare for acts of terrorism, resurgent infectious diseases and mass casualty incidents.  To view the Catastrophic Health Emergency Plan, click here. (You must have Adobe Acrobat to read this document.)