Ouray County Public Health Agency earns public health emergency preparedness recognition
As local health departments nationwide strive to protect the public from new and infectious diseases, bioterrorism, natural disasters and other public health threats, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) has recognized Ouray County Public Health Agency for its ability to respond to public health emergencies.  
Ouray County Public Health Agency met the comprehensive preparedness benchmarks required by Project Public Health Ready (PPHR), a unique partnership between NACCHO and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“This community is a leader in emergency preparedness—in public health, in public safety, emergency medical services, fire protection, law enforcement, mountain rescue and other disciplines. Still, the most important factor in determining whether we succeed in responding to an emergency will be the actions of our citizens in advance planning, cooperating with authorities and helping each other in a time of duress,” said Cheryl Roberts, Agency Director of Ouray County Public Health Agency. “We will continue to improve our ability to quickly and effectively respond to any public health crisis in Ouray County.”
“NACCHO commends Ouray County Public Health Agency for being a model of public health emergency preparedness,” said Robert Pestronk, Executive Director of NACCHO. “The public health system is making great strides thanks to the good work of leaders in local public health preparedness such as Ouray County Public Health Agency.”
Local health departments recognized by PPHR undergo a thorough evaluation process by peer review. PPHR required Ouray County Public Health Agency to meet expectations in public health preparedness in three key areas: preparedness planning; workforce competency; and, demonstration of all-hazards readiness through exercises or a response to a real event.