Chesco Receives Commendation

The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) has recognized the (CCHD) for its ability to respond to public health emergencies. 

Chester County 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 recognition supports two of our Commissioners’ strategic priorities – to promote and protect the public health of the community, and to ensure safe and secure communities.  We are pleased to be acknowledged as ‘Public Health Ready’, and will continue to improve upon our ability to quickly and effectively respond to any public health crisis,” said Margaret Rivello, Director of the Chester County Health Department. 

“NACCHO commends Chester County 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.”

Local health departments recognized by PPHR undergo a thorough evaluation process by peer review.  PPHR required Chester County 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. The recognition confirms that Chester County 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.