Department of Health
John J. Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, Commissioner

The EP program coordinates with federal, state and regional partner agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and local health departments to identify resource and planning needs.

All-Hazard Planning

Tennessee supports an all-hazard approach to preparedness and response. This approach encourages individuals to prepare for the disaster most likely to occur. By preparing for one hazard, individuals, families and communities will have effectively begun preparing for any type of emergency.

Interstate Cooperation

The Tennessee EP program partners with Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky and Mississippi to prepare for and respond to all disaster events. Together, this partnership is the Federal Emergency Management Agency Region IV Planning Coalition. Tennessee will give support to and receive assistance from other partner states, as needed, in a health emergency.

Strategic National Stockpile

The Emergency Preparedness program distributes medicine and medical supplies in the event of a disaster. These items often come from the Strategic National Stockpile, a supply of emergency items. The SNS supplies antibiotics, vaccines, antitoxins, chemical antidotes and medical/surgical items. SNS materials are designed to supplement and re-supply state and local public health resources, as well as other health care agencies in the event of a national emergency. The EP program continues to receive high ratings from the CDC for its level of preparedness to receive the SNS during an act of bioterrorism or a mass casualty event.

Healthcare Preparedness

The EP program continually increases hospital preparedness and response capabilities. It works to increase the surge capacity of healthcare facilities. Surge capacity is the ability to expand care capabilities in response to a great increase in demand. EP sustains all-hazards electronic and communication response tools needed by hospitals for regional and statewide disasters.

Tennessee Disaster Support Network (TDSN)

The Tennessee Disaster Support Network is a web-based resource to assist Tennessee communities in meeting their needs before, during, and after a disaster.

Public Information and Communication

The EP program provides emergency health information, and continues to improve its ability to get emergency information quickly and effectively to all Tennesseans.

Medical Reserve Corps

The Medical Reserve Corps serves as the department’s volunteer organization. EP’s regional MRC units recruit and train medical and general volunteers to support the Tennessee Department of Health, hospitals and medical care providers in a public health emergency. Learn more about becoming a volunteer at health.tn.gov/volunteer/index.shtml.

Epidemiology

Epidemiologists, experts on diseases that can impact large populations, continuously monitor information that might signal possible disease outbreaks or an exposure to bioterrorist agents. Public health investigation teams conduct outbreak investigations, collect specimens and data and respond to public health emergencies.

Epidemiology Learning Modules

Laboratory Capacity

Through TDOH Laboratory Services, the EP program provides high quality medical and environmental testing for biologic and chemical agents.

Exercise Program

EP staff work in cooperation with the Office of Homeland Security and TEMA to plan and execute a comprehensive program to test emergency response strategies. These drills, called exercises, strengthen Tennessee’s overall defenses.

Exercises involve public safety, public health and hospital organizations in every Homeland Security District, health department and TEMA region in the state.

Information Technology Systems

EP maintains and utilizes the Tennessee Emergency Medical Awareness, Response and Resources systems. These systems ensure secure electronic data exchange among public health partners’ computer systems. These systems include the Tennessee Health Alert Network, the Healthcare Resource Tracking System, the Tennessee Volunteer Mobilizer, and the Tennessee Countermeasure Response Network. Eight Regional Medical Communication Centers serve as a statewide medical communication system.

• Tennessee Countermeasure Response Network (TNCRN)
  The TNCRN is collaboration between the Emergency Preparedness Program, emergency managers and responders, health care providers, pharmacies, and private entities.  This web-based system assists the health community in making fast, well-informed decisions during public health emergencies.  Before, during, and after an emergency, TNCRN allows emergency managers and planners to manage patient flow, medication allocation and dispensing, and other resources. 



• Tennessee Health Alert Network (TNHAN)
  The TNHAN is a secure, web based site, consisting of two redundant systems, co-located at two different sites.  The system is administrated and utilized both statewide and locally, in the 13 public health regions.  There are currently 3,000 professionals from police, fire, hospital, public health, and other emergency response agencies, that are maintained in specific roles, within the TNHAN system.  These responders can be alerted through multiple media methods, in the event of an emergency and their response can be tracked.  The system is also used as a document repository, for the purpose of storing information pertaining to specific events or for overall response.



• Healthcare Resource Tracking System (HRTS)
  HRTS is a secure website used by Tennessee healthcare facilities and emergency managers to direct ill or injured patients to appropriate healthcare facilities in the event of an emergency or disaster.  HRTS allows healthcare facilities to record and continually update their current availability of beds, specialty services, and resources providing state-wide awareness for emergency managers.



• Tennessee Volunteer Mobilizer (TNVM)
  The TNVM provides the EP program the capability to alert volunteers and public health staff via automated e-mail, phone, pager, or text message notification.  Registered users can edit profile information, upload and maintain training records, access shared calendars, and view posted messages.  The system allows for simplified registration for health professionals through an automated process linked to state and national licensure agencies.

• EP Program Highlights 2011-2012

Communicable and Environmental Disease Services
Department of Health
State of Tennessee
425 5th Avenue North
1st Floor, Cordell Hull Building
Nashville, TN 37243

Phone: 615-741-7247
Fax: 615-741-3857
Email: EP.response@tn.gov