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EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS > FAQ's
Question: What is the “Emergency Preparedness Network” and how does it affect me?
Answer: The “Emergency Preparedness Network” is a service that is provided through and funded by the 9-1-1 emergency system. It is a very fast way to get emergency information to San Luis Valley citizens via their home or business telephone. The EPN can send information to everyone in the valley or it can be targeted to selected geographical areas, depending on the need at the time. The 911 Board of Directors periodically tests the network to insure it operates properly. The EPN can not send messages to mobile or cellular phones at this time.
Question: If I hear about a disease outbreak in my area, what should I do?
Answer: Emergency instructions will be broadcast over certain radio stations by the State of Colorado “Emergency Alert System”. Here in the San Luis Valley, listen to the following radio stations for the most up-to-date public health emergency information:
- KGIW – 1450 AM
- KALQ – 93.5 FM
- KSLV – 1240 AM and 95.3 FM
Question: If a large-scale disease outbreak occurs in the valley, are there sufficient supplies of vaccines or antibiotics available for my family?
Answer: Local pharmacies maintain a variety of vaccines, antibiotics and other support medications for day-to-day needs. However, if public health needs exceed existing supplies, we will receive all needed medications from the Federal Government through what is called the “Strategic National Stockpile” or SNS. SNS supplies are currently stored in various locations around the nation and can be sent to the valley within a few hours after it has been requested from the Governor of Colorado. For more information, see http://www.bt.cdc.gov/stockpile/
Question: I would like to volunteer to help during a public health emergency. Who should I contact?
Answer: The need for volunteers will become absolutely critical during a public health emergency. As an example, if we need to set up and operate smallpox vaccination clinics in each county, there are not enough full-time employees to efficiently operate these clinics. Volunteers will be needed to greet people, fill out forms, assist public health nurses, and help with crowd control and related activities. Please talk with your local public health agency to learn more about becoming a public health volunteer. Contact points in each San Luis Valley county are:
Question: I am homebound and unable to travel. How can I receive vaccinations or other medications during a large-scale communicable disease outbreak?
Answer: We are in contact with all the agencies that provide services to their special needs clients in the San Luis Valley region. During a public health emergency we will coordinate transportation needs on a valley-wide scale to ensure citizens with special needs receive vaccinations or medications.
Question: I want to use my telephone to get some general information about public health. Where can I call?
Answer: There are two options available for answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs):
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Colorado Health Education Line for the Public – Call 1-877-462-2911 any day or time. They have pre-recorded frequently asked questions on topics such as smallpox, anthrax, and other Bioterrorism related issues. The service also has a extensive variety of FAQs on naturally occurring diseases such as influenza, sudden acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), bubonic plague and others.
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2-1-1 Colorado – Simply dial the numbers “211” on your telephone. 211 operators have a wide range of information from hundreds of non-profit or government agencies with San Luis Valley and across the State of Colorado. Learn more by going to their official website http://www.211colorado.org/
Question: What do the terms “quarantine” and “isolation” mean?
Answer: The two terms are often used interchangeably, but are quite different:
Quarantine - “Quarantine” is where a person exposed to a contagious disease that poses serious risk to the community is kept apart from others who were not exposed to the disease. A person remains in “quarantine” until medical authorities are sure the person is not ill. As an example, someone exposed to highly contagious and dangerous diseases such as smallpox or pneumonic plague would be “quantantined” away from others to prevent the spread of disease.
Isolation - If the person becomes or is ill with a contagious disease dangerous to the community, that person is placed in “isolation” away from persons who were not exposed to the disease. Persons in “isolation” receive treatment for the contagious disease while they are apart from others.
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