[Bowling Green, KY]– As local health departments nationwide strive to protect the public from infectious diseases, bioterrorism, natural disasters, and other public health threats, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) has recognized the Barren River District Health Department for its ability to respond to public health emergencies.

The Barren River District Health Department met the comprehensive preparedness benchmarks required to be recognized by Project Public Health Ready (PPHR), a unique partnership between NACCHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Barren River joins a cohort of nearly 300 local health departments across the country that has distinguished their agencies’ preparedness efforts through PPHR.

“This region is a leader in emergency preparedness—in public health, in public safety, and disaster response. Still, the most important factor in determining whether we succeed in responding to an emergency will be the actions of our residents in advance planning, cooperating with authorities, and helping each other in a time of duress,” said Mr. Dennis Chaney, Public Health Director of Barren River District Health Department. “We will continue to improve our ability to quickly and effectively respond to any public health crisis in the Barren River Region.

“NACCHO commends Barren River District Health Department 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 Barren River District Health Department.”

Local health departments recognized by PPHR undergo a rigorous evaluation by peer review. PPHR required Barren River District Health Department to meet a set of national standards for public health preparedness in three key areas: preparedness planning; workforce competency; and demonstration of all-hazards readiness through exercises or a response to a real event. PPHR recognition confirms that the Barren River District Health Department has a thorough and coordinated emergency response plan in place, that agency staff members are trained, and that the agency exercises the plan and uses it during public health emergencies.

The mission of the National Association of County and City Health Officials is to be a leader, partner, catalyst, and voice for local health departments in order to ensure the conditions that promote health and equity, combat disease, and improve the quality and length of all lives.

For more information on Project Public Health Ready, including recognized sites, project tools, and resources, visit http://www.naccho.org/PPHR.

The mission of the Barren River District Health Department is to promote and protect the health of our community through the prevention of disease, injury and disability.

For more information about the health department’s services, visit www.barrenriverhealth.org.