The Community Preparedness and Coordination
In the aftermath of the fall 2001 terrorist attacks, local health departments received funding specifically allocated to build their infrastructure to increase and strengthen preparedness efforts. As a result, CCDPH created the Community Preparedness and Coordination Unit (CPCU) to strengthen the agency’s and its partners’ abilities to detect and respond to public health emergencies.
In an emergency, CCDPH and its partners work together to ensure a coordinated response. Partners include: municipal leaders, first responders (fire, police, paramedics, physicians and hospitals), schools, businesses, community-based organizations, the Cook County Emergency Management Agency, Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department, Cook County Highway Department, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These partnerships are essential for broadening local emergency preparedness efforts to address very critical public health concerns.
No one agency can do it alone. Responding to a large-scale disaster will require communication, collaboration and coordination. Experts are also advising the public to plan for protecting themselves and their families for up to 72 hours, just in case.
Additional information can be found on the links to information about CPCU projects and resources. You may also call 708-492-2000 and ask for the Community Preparedness and Coordination Unit to learn more.
CPCU Vision, Mission & Goals
Vision
CPCU envisions that everyone will know what to do to minimize the impact of an event affecting the safety of CCDPH employees or the health of suburban Cook County residents. Toward this end, CPCU strives to build agency and local capacity, as well as create collaborative planning, response, and recovery systems, to sustain public health preparedness.
Mission
CPCU coordinates public health preparedness efforts in partnership with various disciplines and local, county, state and federal agencies to effectively plan for, respond to, and recover from events impacting the safety of the agency’s employees or the health of suburban Cook County residents.
Goals
- Build organizational and systems capacity.
- Enhance workforce capacity and competency.
- Develop information systems that help distribute resources to the right places.
- Promote community preparedness and participation.
- Increase unit visibility.
Nation's Current Threat Level
