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De-Activation

The PIO, in collaboration with the Health Officer, determines when it is time to de-activate the emergency dark site and return viewers to the existing public health web site. De-activation of the emergency dark site should be coordinated with the de-activation of other public health and county response operations. Procedures for de-activation should be included in existing response plans and risk communication plans, and included on appropriate Job Action Sheets.

The Public Health Emergency Dark Site may be de-activated when:

  • The Health Officer indicates that the public health emergency response can be de-activated.
  • When the CDC or State Health Department stops issuing new announcements, alerts and guidelines.
  • When the PIO determines that the public and news media demand for information has diminished.

De-Activation Does Not Mean the End of the Emergency Dark Site

  • Remember...the emergency dark site is a web site that sits, ready, but not seen, until activated.

We know that disease outbreaks and pandemics come in waves over time. So, it is very important to keep the emergency dark site ready for activation when the PIO and Health Officer determine that it is needed again.

Google Sites can accommodate this requirement. The emergency dark site files remain on the Google servers for as long as needed. Other applications (Intuit web builder, Tripod, Webs.com, Weebly, Webstarts.com) may also provide long-term maintenance.

If preferred, a department or jurisdiction can pay for the Google Apps Premier Edition to maintain an emergency dark site with a service level agreement (SLA).

When the emergency dark site is de-activated, Information Technology/Information Systems (IT/IS) staff re-direct viewers to the existing public health web site Links to relevant event information can be added to the usual web site homepage.

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