What role does the Lab play during an emergency?
The PHL has a critical role during and after natural disasters and other emergencies. The Lab helps quickly identify diseases or other substances so we can track and respond to them to protect public health. Examples include testing for diseases during natural disasters or tracking the source of a foodborne outbreak. In all cases, samples sent to the Lab for testing are very small and are carefully packaged to protect the community and employees. Public agencies that provide critical services are asked to have a back-up site in case the main headquarters can» t operate in an emergency. The PHL serves this important function for the Department of Health administrative headquarters in Tumwater. After the December 2006 windstorm, there was no power at the Tumwater office so the agency used the Lab buildings as a temporary operations center. The facility has back-up systems that allow it to continue to operate in an emergency, like a snowstorm or earthquake. An onsite diesel generator
