Health Emergencies
Contra Costa Health Services has overall responsibility for protecting the public's health in an emergency.
In order to protect your health, we have developed comprehensive emergency response plans in coordination with local, state and federal agencies, as well as private health care providers and the Red Cross.
What to Expect in a Disaster
The primary threats to Contra Costa County are earthquakes and aftershocks, hazardous materials releases, transportation accidents, floods caused by levee or dam failure, landslides, national security incidents including bioterrorism, wildfires and communicable disease outbreaks such as pandemic flu.
A catastrophic event will cause:
Widespread damage and death, with possible disruption to the health care system, including hospitals, clinics, emergency care, primary care and public health services;
Secondary hazards, such as fires and hazardous materials releases, that may require the redirection of resources, population evacuation or shelter in place events;
Absence of key personnel due to injury or delay in assuming emergency functions (while assuring the safety and welfare of their families and homes);
Depletion of essential equipment and supplies;
Serious transportation limitations, including impassable roads that further delay emergency workers; and
Communication disruptions for over 48 hours after a major event, making accurate information about the nature and extent of damage, including health care and resources, initially unavailable or difficult to obtain.
What You Should Do
In the event of a major disaster, Contra Costa Health Services will issue regular updates to the public on our website (cchealth.org). The Community Warning System is designed to provide Contra Costa County-specific information directly to the media and public. Public access television and radio stations such as KCBS 740 AM or KGO 810 AM will have ongoing status reports and information. The public may also call 211 for health emergency information.
Physicians who need to report a suspected public health emergency should contact the Public Health division immediately at 925-313-6740; or after hours, call the sheriff's dispatch at 925-646-2441 and ask for the Health Officer On Call.
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CCHS Emergency Plans
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Other County Resources
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City Emergency Agencies