Introduction

The Greater Sullivan County Public Health Network is comprised of 15 towns within Sullivan and Merrimack Counties. Our community partners work closely together to create consistent Public Health messages and programs and to ensure that the Region is prepared for health emergencies. in particular, the PHN's All Health Hazard Committee is a group of town officials, fire, police, subject matter experts, schools, faith-based and non-profit community representatives who have together created a comprehensive regional Public Health Emergency Preparedness Plan (PHEPRP) which builds on planning efforts already underway in the State. This plan establishes methods and procedures for local, regional and state emergency planning agencies to respond to public health emergencies.

The mission of the Greater Sullivan County Public Health Network is to work closely with Regional partners to create consistent Public Health messages and programs, and to ensure that the Region is prepared for health emergencies.  Our Public Health Region is committed to helping people live healthier lives - in accordance with the Sullivan County mission, "All Day, Every Day, We Make Life Better."

Service Area

The Greater Sullivan County Public Health Network is a collaborative of municipalities and health and human service agencies in the region. Together we serve just over 30,000 people in the 15 rural towns of Acworth, Charlestown, Claremont, Croydon, Goshen, Langdon, Lempster, New London, Newbury, Newport, Springfield, Sunapee, Sutton, Unity, and Wilmot.

Partners

Community partners include:

• American Red Cross
• Chamber of Commerce
• Colby-Sawyer College
• Community Health Institute
• Connecticut Valley Home Care
• Golden Cross Ambulance
• Lake Sunapee Visiting Nurses
• Mount Sunapee Resort
• New London Hospital
• Newton-Bartlett Funeral Home
• Sullivan County Nursing Home
• SAU #6 Claremont
• SAU #43 Newport/Sunapee
• SAU # 60 Fall Mountain/Charlestown
• Valley Regional Hospital

Priorities for Action

Our priorities include expanding public health capacity through a stronger public health infrastructure and increasing municipality involvement in the regional planning process:

Greater Public Health Capacity = Stronger Public Health Infrastructure

• Region 9's ongoing status as an official Public Health Network will strengthen our public health infrastructure.
• Better preparedness, response and recovery from public health emergencies such as pandemic flu.
• Provide health education and information, in conjunction with local health officers.

Municipality Involvement in the Regional Planning Process

• Help identify, and strongly encourage, key municipal officials/employees and community members to become part of the planning process.

Ongoing visions for our Region include:

• Distributing proactive health information
• Preparing communities for health emergencies
• Website resource for public health information
• Public health training and health officer support
• Community assessments
• Attending local events and fairs
• Helping our communities to stay Prepared and Healthy!