The Environmental Health Division at the Health Department provides technical support and training opportunities for Town Health Officers (THOs), including the THO Manual. The THO Manual is a key resource for your role as a THO, providing information on your statutory authority and the topics you are likely to encounter.
The Health Department strongly recommends all THOs review the manual closely and refer to it regularly.
The most recent version of the THO Manual, linked below, is from 2019. In 2024, the Environmental Health Division is revising the THO Manual to be up to date with the current guidance and legal authorities. The updated sections will be posted in the table below as they are completed.
Please contact the Environmental Health Division with questions about this manual at [email protected] or 800-439-8550.
For all other THO documents, go to the Forms & Resources for Town Health Officers page
For concerns about health or safety issues in rental housing, contact the Division of Fire Safety
Click on a section title to view or download the most up-to-date section of the THO Manual.
| section # | Section Title | topics included |
|---|---|---|
1 | THO Appointments | Appointment Process, Training, Deputy Health Officers |
2 | THO Roles and Responsibilities | Inspections and investigations, selectboard |
3 | What is a Public Health Hazard? | Public vs private health hazards |
4 | THO Enforcement Tools | Voluntary compliance, health orders, emergency health orders, civil enforcement |
5 | Animal Bites and Rabies Testing | Bite investigation, animal confinement, dog on dog bites, rabies testing |
6 | THOs and Infectious Diseases | Mosquito and tickborne diseases, prevention measures |
7 | Outdoor Air Quality | Open burning, permits |
8 | Drinking Water | Private drinking water testing, boil water notices, flooding and droughts |
9 | Lead Paint | Vermont Lead Law, IRC practices, RRPM activities, prohibited work practices |
10 | Asbestos | Asbestos assessment, demolition, renovation |
