Partnerships
The Office of Public Health Preparedness partners with local media and community groups, city and county emergency management organizations, Hawaiʻi state departments, federal agencies and non-profit organizations to assist in its efforts to safeguard public health and maintain statewide emergency readiness.
The OPHP works closely with:
City & County and State Emergency Management Agencies
The city and county emergency management agencies in Hawaiʻi play a vital role in ensuring public safety and resilience at the local level. Each organization is responsible for preparing, responding to, and recovering from disasters, tailored to the specific needs of their communities.
- Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense
- Honolulu/Oahu Department of Emergency Management (DEM)
- Kauai Emergency Management Agency (KEMA)
- Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)
- The Department of Health & Human Services helps prepare by developing response plans, coordinating resources for vulnerable populations, conducting training, and providing public assistance programs to support recovery efforts.
- The Environmental Health Administration implements response plans, conducts assessments, collaborates with agencies, and educates the community on health and safety measures.
- The Hawaiʻi State Department of Land and Natural Resources prepares for emergencies and disasters by creating response plans, managing natural resources to reduce risks, collaborating with other agencies, and educating the public on preparedness strategies.
- Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) is the state’s lead agency for disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. HI-EMA’s mission focuses on ensuring the safety and resilience of Hawaiʻi’s communities through a coordinated approach to emergency management.
- Hawaiʻi Healthcare Emergency Management aims to protect the health and safety of Hawaiʻi residents by building a robust and prepared healthcare system capable of responding to any emergency.
- Hawaiʻi State Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) is a collaborative network of organizations committed to enhancing disaster response and recovery efforts throughout the state.
- Office of Language Access helps ensure vital information reaches non-English speakers by translating emergency communications, offering cultural competency training for first responders, and creating multilingual materials to support preparedness and recovery.
National and Federal Agencies
Working to safeguard public health and coordinate the state’s emergency readiness programs involves partnerships and assistance from federal agencies and non-profit organizations including:
- American Red Cross provides first aid and CPR training, disaster preparedness resources, community education on local hazards, establishes shelters for relief, and collaborates with local agencies to improve response and recovery.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides public health preparedness guidelines, training for health officials and responders, supports disease surveillance, collaborates on tailored emergency response plans, and creates educational materials on safety measures and vaccinations.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the federal agency responsible for providing emergency relief and disaster preparedness planning nationwide.
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) supports Hawaiʻi’s emergency preparedness by providing vital weather forecasts, critical climate data, and early warning systems to guide communities in disaster response.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) helps by providing resources and guidance on environmental protection, pollution prevention, and disaster response planning to ensure public health and safety.
Local Media and Community Groups
The OPHP works together with Hawaiʻi media groups and non-profit organizations to promote annual statewide preparedness education campaigns through digital and radio public service announcements, the PBS ʻŌlelo Youth Xchange program, and the Honolulu Theatre for Youth.