Emergency Preparedness & Planning

Committed to enhancing public health readiness for emergencies in Van Buren and Cass counties.

Preparing Our Communities for Emergencies

VBCDHD’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) program helps Van Buren and Cass Counties prepare for and respond to public health emergencies.

Through ongoing planning, training, and collaboration, we work with local partners to strengthen our community’s ability to respond to:

  • Disease outbreaks
  • Severe weather
  • Hazardous materials incidents
  • Other public health emergencies

Our goal is simple: help keep our communities prepared, resilient, and safe.

Families preparing a plan for natural disasters.
Lady with backpack with supplies for emergencies

How We Prepare

VBCDHD works year-round to strengthen emergency preparedness across Van Buren and Cass Counties.

Our approach focuses on:

  • Planning — Developing and maintaining emergency response plans.
  • Training & Coordination — Preparing staff and working with local response partners.
  • Community Resilience — Helping our communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies.

Public Health Emergency Preparedness

How We Respond

VBCDHD’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) program works year-round to help our communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies.

What We Do

All-Hazards Planning
Prepare for public health emergencies such as disease outbreaks, foodborne illnesses, bioterrorism, and severe weather.

Hazardous Materials Response
Coordinate with local emergency response partners to prepare for and respond to hazardous materials incidents.

Medical Response Coordination
Partner with 80+ agencies to support a coordinated medical and public health response during emergencies.

Severe Weather & Disaster Preparedness
Provide emergency preparedness and severe weather safety information from trusted sources, including the CDC.

Preparedness Is a Community Effort

VBCDHD works with healthcare providers, emergency responders, community organizations, and other partners to strengthen emergency preparedness across Van Buren and Cass Counties.

Questions?
Contact VBCDHD at (269) 621-3143.

Family of three sitting on couch looking at items to be used incase of emergency

Prepare Your Household

Use the various resources below to help plan and protect your family and friends.

Ready.gov

Check out Ready.gov for comprehensive disaster preparedness resources, including tips on making emergency plans, building kits, and staying safe during various types of emergencies.
Download FEMA App

The FEMA app allows you to receive real-time weather alerts, locate emergency shelters in your area, prepare for common hazards, and more.
Fire Safety

Visit the U.S. Fire Administration for resources on fire safety, educational materials, and training programs to reduce fire risks.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning

Visit the CDC Carbon Monoxide Poisoning page for essential information on CO dangers, symptoms, and prevention tips.
Michigan Prepares

Explore Michigan Prepares for guides on creating emergency plans, building kits, and staying informed during crises.
American Red Cross

The American Red Cross provides resources to communicate safety after a disaster, ensuring peace of mind for your loved ones.

Palisades Emergency Preparedness

It's important to be ready in case of an emergency at the Palisades facility. Holtec Palisades provides helpful tools to guide you.

Emergency Planning Guide
This guide explains how to prepare your household, what to expect in an emergency, and how to stay informed.
View the Emergency Planning Guide (PDF)(opens in new tab)

Evacuation Routes
This map shows the main evacuation routes and key areas to know if you need to leave quickly.
View the Evacuation Routes Map (PDF)(opens in new tab)

For more information, visit Holtec's Emergency Planning page.

Stay Informed & Get Emergency Alerts

Know Your Plan. Be Alert.

In an emergency, getting life-saving information fast is crucial. Public safety officials use Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) through the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) to quickly notify you about severe weather, active threats, and other urgent situations. Stay informed and stay safe—learn more about how WEAs can protect you.

Sign up for:

Van Buren County Alerts

Cass County Alerts 

Read More
Local Emergency Management Resources

Additional Resources