Politics & Government

Local Health Departments Recognized

The National Association of County and City Health Officials recognized the Rappahannock Area Health District for its response to public health emergencies.

The Rappahannock Area Health District (RAHD) has been recognized for its emergency preparedness plan and how it connects with other localities outside of Fredericksburg.

The Rappahannock Area Health District provides medical, dental, environmental and public health services to the residents of Fredericksburg and Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford counties.

The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) recognized the RAHD for its ability to respond to public health emergencies after it met the benchmarks required by Project Public Health Ready, which is a partnership between NACCHO and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RAHD's peers evaulated its preparedness planning, workforce competency and demonstration of all-hazards readiness with exercises and a test response at a real event. The recognition affirms that "RAHD has an emergency response plan in place, the plan is connected to other jurisdictional emergency response plans, agency staff members are trained and the plan is exercised and used during public health emergencies"

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“We are proud to have been recognized by Project Public Health Ready for our high level of preparedness,” said RAHD Health Director Brooke Rossheim. “We will continue to improve our ability to quickly and effectively respond to any public health crisis in the district.”

Deputy Commissioner for Public Health and Preparedness at the Virginia Department of Health Dr. Marissa Levine commended the RAHD for the recognition and called it a model of public health emergency preparedness.

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“Virginians are fortunate to have Rappahannock Area Health District and the other health districts in the state reach this level of emergency readiness. Becoming “Public Health Ready” is a testament to the community effort needed to attain such a recognition,” she said.

NACCHO's mission is to be a leader, partner, catalyst and voice for local health departments to ensure the conditions that promote health and equity, combat disease and improve the quality and length of all lives.


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