Arizona got a great public health preparedness report card from the CDC this week, getting a solid A by scoring 30/32.  The report (Public Health Preparedness: Strengthening the Nation’s Emergency Response State by State) examines each state’s readiness using 32 criteria designed to drive states toward demonstrating results, measuring their program improvements and increasing accountability.

Examples of the criteria used to assess state’s performance include:

  1. Laboratory proficiency testing performance measure data;
  2. Performance measures during exercises, drills, and real incidents, activation of emergency operations centers, and after action report assessments; and
  3. Readiness for executing strategic national stockpile assets.

Each state has a fact sheet that shows jurisdiction scores, allowing folks to compare readiness in our sister states and helping us to adopt best practices from each other.   Our success on this year’s report is a testament to solid collaboration with our counties and hospitals as well as a rock-solid teamwork among our staff.  Right on.