Emergency Operations Center (OPHPR)

1000 Words4 Pages

Biological or chemical attacks are deliberate releases of germs or any other biological substances that can make a person sick or kill them. Deliberate attacks are not just a United States problem, attacks can happen anywhere on Earth at any time. The CDC’s Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (OPHPR) deals with the nation’s health security with any threats that may harm the United States and worldwide. Inside the OPHPR there is a department called the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) they work along with other government agencies like Homeland Security to protect the United States from deliberate attacks. The EOC uses a system very similar to the PSHA emergency incident command system that has a common response system, emergency …show more content…

The EOC and Homeland Security created a bioterrorism preparedness plan that includes prevention through detect and report any suspicious activity, investigate, control and recover, and improve prior terrorist incidents to protect the public. During President Bush tenure, he mandated the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 8 (HSPD 8) in 2003 to authenticate policies and procedures for a strategic plan for emergency responders to follow. According to Richter, A., & Santiago, D. (2006), “HSPD-8 introduced the concept of “all hazards preparedness” based on the existence of plans, procedures, policies, training, and equipment to maximize the effectiveness of a multi-discipline response effort in the event of any type of emergency” (p. 9). The cooperation between the EOC and Homeland Security have solid planning preparedness to aid local, state, and federal emergencies if they occur in the future. The effective responses to all chemical or biological attacks faced by Americans. Other countries contribute to improved …show more content…

The Homeland Security has international teams that work with other agencies that have early detection through preparedness, response, and communication of possible threats of bioterrorism that will affect the United States. The CDC started an international team through its EOC to respond to inquiries from other countries regarding anthrax and bioterrorism. According to Polyak, Macy, Irizarry-De La Cruz, Lai, McAuliffe, Popovic, & ... Mintz, (2002), “The international team included physicians, microbiologists, epidemiologists, and other public health officials with expertise in international affairs and infectious diseases” (p. 1056). The CDC international teams working together with the Homeland Security international teams communicate with 70 countries regarding bioterrorism events to prevent possible attacks throughout the world. Therefore, with several countries and both international teams working together are designed to protect the public worldwide from danger through