The focus of the Environmental Health program is to protect the health and safety of the public through education, inspections and the elimination of hazards. This involves working with members of the residential and business community about health issues, while understanding the individual's needs. Global health issues are real city concerns due to market globalization, world travel, and multi-cultural influences. Your health and safety is our priority!
A comprehensive approach is used in order to address imminent health and safety hazards, as well as nuisances. Business operators partner with the city to ensure they provide safe food products and safe operations for their customers and employees. The program plays an active role in planning and responding to public health emergencies on an individual and city-wide basis.
Services:
Licensed Establishment Services
The city provides a comprehensive program regulating food establishments, pool facilities, lodging establishments, refuse trucks and other licensed facilities supported primarily by fees. The city works with the business operators to ensure a healthful and safe environment is provided for all. This includes evaluating licensed businesses, and providing information to businesses and residents. Some services that are provided include:
- Plan review and construction inspections of licensed establishments
- Routine inspections and response to complaints
- Response to emergencies affecting establishments
- Internal coordination of remodel and construction projects
- Education and information resources
- Helping customers through the various city systems
- Consultation and referrals to various inquiries
Housing and Property Maintenance
- Response to health and safety concerns at residential and commercial properties (unsanitary homes, sewage/fecal matter; pest infestation; indoor air concerns; odors; no water or electricity; lack of heat, lack of plumbing, heating or electrical systems; etc.) is a priority. In addition to health and life safety issues, general property maintenance items are addressed during property investigations.
Environmental and Health issues
- Response to environmental health issues, which occur in the community, is handled and coordinated with other city departments as necessary. Some environmental health issues include chemical and biological hazards, air quality, odors, water quality, lighting, noise, mold, and many others.
Business Maintenance Check-ups and License Reviews
- In order to provide cost-effective and a coordinated approach for the customers, general business regulations are also checked during routine health investigations. These include regulations about zoning, property maintenance, nuisances and various city and state regulations.
Emergency Preparedness Planning and Emergency Response
- The City has a comprehensive plan that describes and prepares the city in responding to a variety of emergencies. The Division participates in the planning functions, which includes response to storms, tornadoes, biological/chemical incidents, pandemic flu and other public health situations. The division plays a variety of roles in emergency situations- education and information dissemination; coordinating safe food, water and lodging facilities; onsite investigations; consultation and many other services as necessary.
