Public health helps keep people safe during emergencies. Emergencies can be storms, floods, fires, or diseases that spread quickly. Public health works with others—like firefighters, hospitals, and police—to make sure people get help. They also share important information so everyone knows what to do.

Before an emergency happens, public health teams make a plan. They practice this plan so they are ready to act fast. They also check to make sure places like hospitals and clinics have what they need, like medicine, water, and power. Being prepared helps them protect people when trouble comes. During an emergency, public health shares clear and simple messages. They might tell people to boil water, stay inside, wear a mask, or go to a safe place. They use phones, flyers, social media, and other tools to spread the word. This helps people know what to do to stay safe.

After the emergency is over, public health keeps helping. They check if people have food, clean water, and the care they need. They also help fix problems and support people who feel scared or stressed. The goal is to help everyone recover and feel safe again.

Public health prepares every day, even when there’s no emergency, so the community is ready. When people have a plan, they can stay calm and safe. Being ready saves lives and helps everyone stay strong.

Renville County Public Health

When severe flooding hit the City of Renville, our public health team was quick to respond. Emergencies can happen in a second, and Renville Public Health was there to help those who needed it most.

Team members went door to door to check on community members and offer support to those who were affected by the flooding. They also provided important tips about flood safety such as how to clean your home after a flood, keep drinking water safe, and avoid illness from water damage. All of these things can take a toll on your mental health. Team members focused on providing community members with tools to cope with the stress that follows an emergency.

When disaster strikes, the number one goal is staying safe. By working directly with the community, their needs are heard. This helps everyone get the help they need and come back stronger together.

Kandiyohi County Public Health

Preparing for emergencies is important for every age. Public Health staff of Kandiyohi County and the American Red Cross teamed up to teach young children what to do in case of an emergency.

With fun activities led through the story of Pedro the Penguin, children had a chance to learn what they need to do if there is a storm, fire, flood, or other emergency, and how to stay calm and call for help if needed. Pedro also taught families how to create an emergency plan that includes making a spot to meet if your family gets split up, supply kits with first aid and canned foods, and finding the safest places to stay during an emergency.

We never know when an emergency will strike, which is why it's important to learn about staying safe at a young age. This helps children gain skills that stay with them as they grow and will keep them safe in times of need.

Le Sueur County Public Health
Waseca County Public Health

What happens when severe cold and blizzards shut down part of Minnesota? Public Health makes sure they are ready before the first snowflake falls.

Sara Porter, the Le Sueur-Waseca Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Specialist, led an exercise to ensure that staff and partners are prepared for extreme winter weather. "Operation Snowflake" gave 27 local partners a chance to talk through how they would serve the community during a winter storm. They talked about their emergency plans and what steps they would take to keep operations running. This training allows everyone to be ready for snow to fall.

Working together to stay ready helps keep families safe. Practice drills like this make sure that we can take action when it is needed most.