Larimer County health department earns national recognition

FORT COLLINS – The National Association of County and City Health
Officials has recognized the Larimer County Department of Health and
Environment for its ability to respond to public health emergencies.

LCDHE met the emergency preparedness benchmarks required by Project
Public Health Ready, a partnership between the NACCHO and the Centers
for Disease Control.

“We’ve worked very hard over the past several years to upgrade our
ability to quickly and effectively respond to public health crises in
Larimer County,´ said Janelle Henderson, the emergency preparedness
coordinator for the health department. “We are all very proud to have
our work recognized by Project Public Health Ready as having achieved a
high level of preparedness.”

In order to be recognized by Project Public Health Ready, local health
departments must undergo an evaluation process by peer review.
Expectations in three key areas must be met: preparedness planning,
workforce competency, and demonstration of all-hazards readiness through
exercises or response to a real event.

“NACCHO commends Larimer County Department of Health and Environment for
being a model of public health emergency preparedness,´ said Robert
Pestronk, executive director of NACCHO. “The public health system is
making great strides thanks to the good work of leaders in local public
health preparedness such as Larimer County Department of Health and
Environment.”