Public Health Emergency Preparedness

The Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP)Coordinator is responsible for developing response plans to be used in the event of an incident that threatens the health of Mariposa County residents. Through planning, exercises, community education, and training, the PHEP Coordinator ensures that the county’s first responders and health care system prepare, respond and recover from public health emergencies in an effective manner. To do this, the PHEP coordinates with agencies such as John C Fremont Hospital District, the Mariposa County Office of Emergency Services (OES), Mercy Medical Transportation, Mountain Valley EMS, as well as other county agencies and organizations.

Some examples of public health emergencies are:

Wildfire; infectious disease outbreak, such as the 2010 pandemic flu; prolonged power outages; biological terrorist attacks such as an anthrax release; chemical spills such as chlorine gas; severe weather such as extreme heat or cold; and natural disasters such as earthquake and floods.

  • Wildfire
  • Infectious disease outbreak, such as the 2010 pandemic flu
  • Prolonged power outages
  • Biological terrorist attacks, such as an anthrax release
  • Chemical spills, such as chlorine gas
  • Severe weather, such as extreme heat or cold
  • Natural disasters, such as earthquakes or floods


BE PREPARED

Are you prepared for the possibility of a public health emergency such as a wildfire, power outage, or disease outbreak?


How to Prepare for a Wildfire

Wildfires occur frequently in Mariposa County. To be properly prepared we recommend that you do the following:

  • Decrease the amount of fuel surrounding your house.
    • Make sure there is no fire fuel/debris (e.g. stacked firewood, gasoline) within 60 feet of your home.
  • Create and Practice a Fire Escape Plan
    • Find two ways to get out of each room in the event the primary way is blocked by fire or smoke.
    • Make sure that windows are not stuck, screens can be taken out quickly, and that security bars can be properly opened.
    • Practice the Fire Escape Plan once per year.
  • Smoke Alarms
    • Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement, both inside and outside of sleeping areas.
    • Replace batteries in battery-powered and hard-wired smoke alarms at least once a year (except non-replaceable 10-year lithium batteries).
    • Replace the entire smoke alarm unit every 8 to 10 years or according to manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Make digital copies of valuable documents and records like birth certificates.
  • Create a photo log of all of your valuable possessions. This is for insurance purposes.

View a video that has tips on how to prepare for a wildfire.

How to Prepare for a Flood

Flooding occur frequently in Mariposa County. To be properly prepared we recommend that you do the following:

  • Know your flood risk
    • To check your flood risk, enter your address at
    • FEMA Portal
  • Know your evacuation routes; plan your transportation and a place to stay.
  • Practice how you will communicate with family members.
  • Store supplies so you can grab them quickly if you need to evacuate; know in advance what else you will need to take.
  • Store the important documents you will need to start your recovery.
  • Make digital copies of valuable documents and records like birth certificates.

View a video that has tips on how to prepare for a flood incident.

How to Prepare for a Power Outage

Power outages have been known to occur in Mariposa County. To be properly prepared we recommend that you do the following:

  • Build or restock your emergency preparedness kit, which should include a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies.
  • Charge cell phones and any battery powered devices.
  • Know where the manual release lever of your electric garage door opener is located and how to operate it.
  • Keep your car’s gas tank full-gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps.
  • If you rely on anything that is battery-operated or power dependent like a medical device determine a back-up plan.

View a video that has tips on how to prepare for a power outage.

Other helpful links: