Josh Kroetsch, Health Environmentalist
Bryan Angel, Sr. Health Environmentalist
The Environmental program is designed to protect the health and well-being of our citizens. Environmentalists are in the Williamsburg office Monday – Friday from 8:00-9:30 A.M. The state plumbing inspector is in the Williamsburg office on Fridays 8:00-9:30 A.M.
Approval of permits to owners for approved sewage installations. Also approves on-site sewage disposal systems for public buildings and private homes and inspects on-site sewage disposal systems.
Approves operating permits for food-serving establishments. Environmentalists conduct sanitation inspections of restaurants, school cafeterias, retail grocery stores, food transportation vehicles, vending machines or vehicles which sell food to the public.
The WCHD provides permits and/or inspection services for public facilities, including mobile home and recreations vehicle parks, hotels, motels, public buildings and recreational areas, youth camps, schools, public swimming pools, spas and beaches.
The WCHD may investigate into all sources of nuisances that are injurious to the health of the people of Whitley County. Whenever any nuisance related to health of the people in this county is found to exist, the Board of Health may order, in writing, that the owner correct the problem.
WCHD acts in an advisory capacity when an animal is suspected of being rabid, and assists the community in any way possible in the event of a rabies epidemic.
Residential water supply located on private property will be tested upon the owner’s request. The sample results are made available to the owner with the recommendations made for correcting the problem.
To learn more about diseases spread by mosquitoes and how you can help prevent them, contact:
(READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE GOING ON)
The Whitley County Health Department requires all food handlers to become certified food (handler) employees. The Whitley County Health Department and the FDA Food Code 2013 requires each food establishment to must have a certified food manager.
It is EASY to get certified! Take the classes and test online! Certified Food (Handler) Employee class is $25. The Certified Food Manager class is $80. You get the video class, the test, and the certificate for one price.
Step 1: Use Google Chrome or Firefox for your internet browser. Internet Explorer will not work. Go to the website: https://ky-wchd.statecert.com
Step 2: Click “Register” in the top right corner.
Step 3: Enter your information. You must enter your own email address. You cannot share accounts with other people. On the last page it will show you your email address. If the email address is correct, click “register”.
Step 4: You will receive an email “statecert”. In the email message, click “confirm”.
Step 5: Log in to your account. Select “Get New License”
Step 6: Select “Food Manager Certification” $80 or “Food Employee Certification” $25 and follow the directions. You must pay with a credit card.
Step 7: Take the course and test. Print your certificate at the end. You can also receive an electronic certificate. You do not need to come to the Health Department for a card for either of these courses.
On May 18, 2006, the Whitley County Fiscal Court adopted a Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, which requires a Stream Construction Permit from the Kentucky Division of Water (KYDOW) and a Local Floodplain Permit from Whitley County before any development activities start in a designated floodplain. Copies of the flood maps can be obtained from the Kentucky Flood Hazard Portal.
Kentucky Revised Statutes, KRS 151, requires a “Stream Construction Permit” from the KYDOW’s Floodplain Management Section for any kind of development along or across a stream, including those streams not mapped on the community’s flood maps or Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Development means “any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate”. This includes, but is not limited to: construction of new structures, modifications or improvements to existing structures, placement of manufactured homes, excavation, filling, paving, drilling, driving of piling, mining, dredging, land clearing, grading, construction of bridges, culverts, or any type of work in or along the stream or its bank. Without a Local Floodplain Permit that conforms to the Local Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, the State’s permit is not valid. In addition to the State and Local permits, an Elevation Certificate may also be required for some structures.
Any person who violates the Flood Damage Prevention ordinance or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined no less than $100 or imprisoned for not more than 5 days or both, and in addition, shall pay all costs and expenses involved in the case. Each day such violation continues, shall be considered a separate offense.
For more information, please visit the Kentucky Flood Hazard Portal or contact the Whitley County Floodplain Administrator.
Dear MRC Volunteers,
It has been a while since you last heard from me, and I need to update you on a few things. Kentucky’s MRC program has gone through a complete overhaul in the last few months, bringing changes that drastically affect our local MRC units.
Here is what you need to know:
Our new Southeast KY Regional MRC unit will be more active than our local Whitley County MRC unit has been in the past. There will be training opportunities, exercises, meetings, and volunteer opportunities coming along in the future. If you have a desire to be a part of a program that helps strengthen our community and brings hope to people in need of help, please consider recommitting to serve as an MRC volunteer. The sooner we can build up the number of our volunteers, the sooner we can start training and become active in our community.
I look forward to working with you as we grow our Southeast Kentucky MRC unit!
Sincerely,
Joshua Kroetsch
Southeast Kentucky Regional MRC Unit Leader
368 Penny Lane, Williamsburg, KY 40769
www.whitleycountyhealthdepartment.com