The state Department of Health has received a $5.3 million grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help it protect Hawaii during natural disasters and disease outbreaks.

The funds will help the department investigate diseases, warn the public, and prepare communities.

Health Director Loretta Fuddy said in a statement Tuesday the grant will help Hawaii “do even more” to be ready for public health emergencies.

The grants are part of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness program.

The department uses the program to train workers to identify and respond to diseases and toxins, prepare for bioterror attacks and be able to effectively alert the public when there’s an emergency.