Who has the authority to respond to emergencies?
In Washington, the local health officer and the boards of health have broad legal authority to protect the life and health of the people within their jurisdictions. This authority is combined with other local emergency response authority and state authority to respond to public health emergencies. The authority for responding to emergencies at Clark County Public Health is delegated by the Health Officer. The local Health Officer is required to institute disease prevention and infection control measures; authorized to carry out necessary steps to prevent disease and control infection; and authorized to enforce the public health statutes of the state and all local health rules, regulations and ordinances. The Board of Health is directed to take actions to preserve life and health of people within their jurisdiction.
