Health Department

Emergency Preparedness

PHEP - Public Health Emergency Prepardedness


Be Ready!

Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as making an emergency supply kit and developing a family communications plan, are the same for both a natural or man-made emergency. However, there are important differences among potential emergencies that will impact the decisions you make and the actions you take. Learn more about the potential emergencies that could happen where you live and the appropriate way to respond to them. In addition, learn about the emergency plans that have been established in your area by your state and local government.

As the May 2010 Nashville flood proved, emergency preparedness is no longer the sole concern of earthquake prone Californians and those who live in the part of the country known as "Tornado Alley." For Americans, preparedness must now account for man-made disasters as well as natural ones. Knowing what to do during an emergency is an important part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count.

Please visit Ready.gov for more preparedness infomation.

Sign up to volunteer today!

The MPHD appreciates your interest in becoming a public health volunteer. As a public health volunteer, you will be trained to work in Points of Dispensing Clinics (PODs) that could be activated in the event of a public health emergency. For more infomation email us at Health.Volunteer@nashville.gov


Preparing an Emergency Kit

Click here to view the Weekly Disaster Plan page Disaster preparedness has become a focal point for the local government since the occurrence of the events on September 11, 2001. Since then Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita have served to magnify the importance of local government preparedness as well as individual preparedness. Although it is the responsibility of each individual to prepare his or her family for a disaster, the community also looks to the government to provide assistance during times of crisis. To answer this commitment, the Health Department has created Disaster Preparedness web pages in order to provide information to the public on ways they can better prepare their family and community.


Since disasters are unexpected, it is essential that you plan now. Once you have a plan, your family will have a well thought out mode of action. It is imperative that everyone in the family knows the plan. In order for your family to become familiar with the plan, it is suggested that you practice periodically.

Our current website offers a presentation on creating a family plan. In order for you to obtain information sheets and worksheets to better help you create your family plan, we have included links to sites such as the American Red Cross and the Department of Homeland Security.

Developing a Family Disaster Plan

Weekly Disaster Plan: A week-by-week plan for collecting and maintaining supplies.

Click on the FEMA link below to find out more information about how you can properly store water: http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/water.shtm

Contact Information

Rachel Majors, MBA, HA
Emergency Response Coordinator
Metro Nashville/Davidson County

Office: (615) 340-5691
Rachel.Majors@nashville.gov

James Woulfe
Cities Readiness Initiative Coordinator
Public Health Emergency Preparedness

Office: (615) 340-5339
Cell: (615) 533-7168
James.Woulfe@nashville.gov

Todd Baker
Volunteer Coordinator/Educator

Office: (615) 340-0535
Todd.Baker@nashville.gov

Sanmi Areola, PHD
Toxicologist

Office: (615) 340-8591
Fax: (615) 340-8589
Sanmi.Areola@nashville.gov

Nancy Horner, RN, BSN
Director of Public Health Emergency Preparedness

Office: (615) 340-5683
Nancy.Horner@nashville.gov

James E. Tabor, Jr., MSM
Regional Hospital Coordinator

Office: (615) 340-0405
Cell: (615) 600-8509
James.Tabor@nashville.gov

Sarwat Ajmal, MD, MSPH
Epidemiologist 1

Office: (615) 340-0551
Cell: (615) 429-7713
Sarwat.Ajmal@nashville.gov