Public Health Preparedness Resources

Florida Department of Health Resources

• Know what to do before, during, and after a hurricane with Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Emergency Preparedness & Response.
• Build an emergency supply kit with Florida Department of Health's Emergency Supply Checklist.
• Are you a parent? See how you can support children during disasters.
• Are you visually impaired? Check out this Preparedness Tool Kit for Blind or Visually Impaired Residents.
• From electrical, carbon monoxide, and floodwater safety to wound care, private wells, septic systems, and mold and debris cleanup, look into these fact sheets from the Florida Department of Health.
• The Florida Department of Health's Group Care Program recommends using the Group Care Program Preparedness Toolkit — designed as a completely customizable preparedness planning tool for any type of residential facility, but especially those serving the disabled and/or vulnerable populations. It's available in English, Spanish, and Creole.

 Local, State, and Federal Resources

• If you are looking for local information, check out Charlotte County Office of Emergency Management's Charlotte County Disaster Guide.
• Do you know your Charlotte County evacuation zone? If not, know your zone.
• Apply for Charlotte County's Special Needs Program, a voluntary program for individuals with certain health or medical conditions who have no alternative other than a public shelter.
• Are you an older adult? Take a look at the Florida Department of Elder Affairs' Disaster Resource Guide for Older Adults.
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, take a look at the American Red Cross' Disaster Preparedness and the Deaf Community: For the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Latened Deaf.
• Stay tuned with the Florida Division of Emergency Management to keep up with storm updates. Have you seen their Florida Hurricane Guide?
• Do you have pets? Make sure to include them in your emergency plans with Ready.gov's Prepare Your Pets for Disasters.

Other Resources

• Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida
• Carbon Monoxide and Portable Generator Safety
• Community Organizations Active in a Disaster (COAD)
• Community Resource Directory - Charlotte County, Florida
• Coping With Grief and Loss
• Disaster Behavioral Health and Mental Health Resources
• Navigating Florida's Hazards
• Other Helpful Links and Information
• Southwest Florida Healthcare Coalition
• Tips for Disaster Responders: Preventing and Managing Stress