Emergency Preparedness
Preparedness for disasters, both natural and man-made, is a major public health priority. The City of Hartford Department of Health and Human Services collaborates with emergency preparedness leaders at the local, state and federal levels. The program works to assure systems are in place to protect the health of Hartford residents during a public health emergency. Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response plans are actively developed, exercised and revised to improve local responses to: bioterrorism, chemical emergencies, infectious disease outbreaks, natural disasters and other health risks. Questions regarding the City’s public health preparedness, please call (860) 757-4728.
Services & Programs
Emergency Prepareness
Preparedness for disasters, both natural and man-made, is a major public health priority. The City of Hartford Department of Health and Human Services collaborates with emergency preparedness leaders at the local, state and federal levels. The program works to assure systems are in place to protect the health of Hartford residents during a public health emergency. Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response plans are actively developed, exercised and revised to improve local responses to: bioterrorism, chemical emergencies, infectious disease outbreaks, natural disasters and other health risks. Questions regarding the City’s public health preparedness can be addressed to Janine Simms Colon at (860) 757-4728.
There are many organizations dedicated to keeping your family prepared in the event of a disaster. Please help keep your family and community informed by reviewing these resources and sharing them to anyone that will find them useful. You can learn more about preparing for a disaster by contacting or visiting any one of the following organizations:
- Connecticut Department of Public Health
- Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
- Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Emergency Preparedness & Response
- Department of Health and Human Services – Pandemic Flu
- Department of Homeland Security
- American Red Cross
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
Hartford Warming Centers and Sheltering
Upon a determination of impending severe cold weather; the Office of the Mayor, Hartford Fire Department’s Emergency Management Division, and the Department of Health and Human Services shall jointly assess the circumstances, and if warranted the Mayor’s office shall notify all City of Hartford Department Heads that warming centers shall be activated and the Mayor’s office shall issue an Official Press Release for public information.
Due to the severe cold weather, residents should take the following precautions:
- Stay indoors if possible
- If you must go outside, wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing; wear a hat and change wet clothes frequently to prevent loss of body heat.
- Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs
- Watch for signs of hypothermia: uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion
- If symptoms of hypothermia are detected, get person to a warm location, remove wet clothing, warm the center of the body first and give warm, non-alcoholic beverages if the victim is conscious; get medical help as soon as possible
Anyone in need of shelter is urged to call 211. When temperatures reach and remain below 25 degrees Fahrenheit, the following warming centers may be open during the indicated hours:
- North End Senior Center at 80 Coventry St. from 9:30am to 3:00pm
- South End Wellness Center at 830 Maple Ave. from 9:00am to 4:30pm
- Parkville Senior Center at 11 New Park Ave. from 8:30am to 3:30 pm
- Hispanic Senior Center at 45 Wadsworth St. from 8:30am to 2:30pm
- Hispanic Health Council at 175 Main St. from 8:30am to 4:30pm
The following permanent shelters will be open 24 hours a day upon activation during inclement weather:
- McKinney Shelter at 34 Huyshope Ave., (860) 722-6922
- Immaculate Conception Shelter at 560 Park St., (860) 724-4823
- South Park Inn at 75 Main St.; (860) 724-0071
- Open Hearth at 437 Sheldon St., (860) 525-3447
Preparedness Pamphlets and Guides
There are several pamphlets and guides that are available to get you ready for an emergency situation. Please take a look at the documents nested under "Emergency Preparedness" on our Forms and Guides page and download, print, and share them with your family and neighbors.