Beginning on their first day in office, governors must prepare for emergencies of all types and, along with providing for the public’s safety, governors must also think about protecting the public’s health. Although the types of hazards that affect states vary widely, almost all carry a public health consequence that must be specifically and intentionally addressed by formally-trained specialists. The opioid epidemic has precipitated a hepatitis A outbreak, catastrophic hurricanes have caused widespread post-traumatic stress, and persistent wildfires have aggravated asthmatics across the American West. As these linkages become more well understood, governors must strive to better incorporate the discipline of public health into their emergency preparedness and response strategies.