The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) announced that each of Connecticut’s five Emergency Planning and Preparedness Regions have been recognized by NACCHO’s Project Public Health Ready (PPHR) for their ability to respond to public health emergencies. Connecticut is now the fourth state in the nation to achieve statewide recognition. In honor of the recognition, Governor Dannel P. Malloy has proclaimed today Wednesday, September 18, 2013 as Public Health Ready Day in Connecticut.

“Over the past two years, our resilience as a state has been tested numerous times in the face of natural disasters,” said DPH Commissioner Dr. Jewel Mullen. “Local health departments have played an essential role to ensure the public’s health and safety during disasters, such as Hurricane Sandy and Tropical Storm Irene. The investment they have made in planning, training, and exercising in conjunction with other preparedness partners, has significantly enhanced their readiness to respond to an array of public health emergencies.”

“All disasters strike locally, and local health departments are a critical part of any community’s first response to disease outbreaks, emergencies, and acts of terrorism,” said Robert Pestronk, NACCHO Executive Director. “NACCHO commends the state of Connecticut for being a model of public health emergency preparedness.”