Emergency Preparedness

The Emergency Preparedness Division ensures statutory compliance and maximizes the capability of the county to respond to and recover from disasters occurring throughout the county, and plans for and coordinates a countywide program of emergency management that will save lives and protect property in the event of an emergency.

This Division is responsible for development of plans and programs to maintain a state of readiness to meet natural, man-made, and technological disasters on a local or countywide basis. It also coordinates and maintains inventories of disaster resources in the county, both public and private, as well as plans for the effective utilization of resources in the county with the assistance of designated county departmental emergency preparedness coordinators, appointed municipal directors, and volunteers.

How to prepare for an emergency

Ready.gov has information to help Americans prepare for emergencies. Topics include:

• Online Emergency Planning Tool Kits
• Military Families
• Older Americans
• People with Disabilities
• Pet Owners

Business owners

Ready.gov also has information to help businesses prepare for emergencies.

Know what to do about the flu

• Flu.gov
• Minnesota Department of Health's 2009 H1N1 Novel 
• State of Minnesota's Pandemic Flu Response Plan (PDF 350K)
• Hennepin County Pandemic Flu Response Plan (PDF 241K)
• Hennepin County Public Health Emergency Preparedness

Partners

Hennepin County partners with volunteer agencies, including:

• Adventist Community Service
• Minnesota Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (MNVOAD)
• Red Cross, Twin Cities
• Salvation Army
• United Way 211