General Preparedness

Being prepared to respond to emergency and terrorism events requires an understanding of how the state, federal, and local entities work together during an event. All responses occur locally and end locally, but understanding the roles of local, state, and federal partners is essential to an effective response.

CDC Centers for Public Health Preparedness (CPHP) – project to link academic public health expertise to state and local health agency need

CDC Epidemic Information Exchange (Epi-X) – secure communications tool used by various public health agencies to access and share preliminary surveillance information

CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) – transmits health alerts, advisories, and updates to health agencies at every level of government

CDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response – how to prepare, plan, and respond to public health emergencies:

CDC Supports Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) – provides a method for states to share resources during an emergency

Environmental Health Training in Emergency Response – Introductory Level – course to address a range of environmental health topics commonly faced in disaster response. Also available as EHOPAC Resource CD (USPHS Environmental Health Officer Deployment Resource CD - Version 1.0 - June 2006).

MMWR's Terrorism Preparedness Compendium – Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report information on smallpox, anthrax, and other terrorism-related reports and recommendations

Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units – network of academically based medical experts in children’s environmental health who are available to assist health-care professionals, parents, or other child caregivers

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Links to information from outside CDC

American Public Health Association (APHA)

Recommended Core Competencies for Local Environmental Health Practitioners [PDF - 313 KB] – 14 core competencies for local environmental health practitioners grouped into the three primary functions of an environmental health program (assessment, management, and communication)

American Red Cross – how to prepare for and respond to a variety of disaster types

California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health (CCDEH)

Disaster Field Manual for Environmental Health Specialists – field guide to help environmental health professionals respond to a variety of environmental issues in disasters
Environmental Health Disaster Model Planning Guide [PDF - 905 KB] – tool for aiding environmental health management in the development of disaster response plans

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Disasters and Emergencies – information about disasters and emergencies grouped in related categories

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Working with DHS – lists homeland security contacts for each state

Disasters and Emergencies (USA.gov) – U.S. Government's Official Web portal on disasters and emergencies

Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Strategic Plan for Homeland – EPA's role in homeland security

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Preparedness and Training

Are You Ready? A Guide to Citizen Preparedness – basic advice to prepare for and respond to both natural and manmade disasters
Emergency Management Institute (EMI) – training courses for environmental health professionals
Managing the Emergency Consequences of Terrorist Incidents – Interim Guidelines [PDF - 541 KB] – aid for state and local emergency planners in developing and maintaining a Terrorist Incident Appendix (TIA) to an Emergency Operations Plan
National Response Plan – mechanism to coordinate federal assistance and resources with state and local governments during a major disaster or emergency
State and Local Guide 101: Guide for All-Hazard Emergency Operations Planning [PDF - 605 KB] – aid for state and local emergency managers to develop and maintain a viable all-hazards Emergency Operations Plan

National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO):

Bt CREATE: A Customizable Bioterrorism Tabletop Exercise Builder – interactive CD-ROM to help local public health agencies prepare for and respond to bioterrorism, outbreaks of infectious disease, and other public health threats and emergencies
Bt PREP: A Bioterrorism Response Plan Design Guide for Local Public Health Agencies – interactive bioterrorism response guide for local public health agencies
NACCHO Responds to Bioterrorism – links, resources, and tools to help local health departments prepare for and respond to any type of emergency

National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)

Environmental Health Series – Biological and Chemical Terrorism
Interim Report of the Task Force on Protecting Democracy [PDF - 5.37 MB] – report by the task force on the meetings to develop recommendations and guidelines that can be used by the states to implement the National Strategy for Homeland Security
Terrorism Preparedness and Response – tracks state legislative activity related to terrorism

National Library of Medicine – information about disaster and emergency preparedness and response grouped in related categories

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NEW! January 2009
Ready or Not? Protecting the Public's Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism 2008 – examines progress in improving America's ability to respond to public health emergencies since 2003

Sphere Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response – project to improve the quality of assistance provided to people affected by disasters and enhance the accountability of the humanitarian system in disaster response

The Twin Cities Metro Advanced Practice Center – tools and resources for preparedness that can be used by public health departments nationwide, including

Disaster Strikes – Environmental Health Responds: Stories from the Field – case studies of 22 environmental health professionals across the country to learn how they dealt with actual emergencies in their communities
Emergency Preparedness and Response Fundamentals & Putting Principles into Practice – online training to build skills needed by environmental health professionals to operate in different emergency situations
Environmental Health Emergency Response Guide [PDF - 670 KB] – provides quick access to needed information before an incident strikes a community

U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) Report on State and Local Preparedness [PDF - 772 KB] – GAO’s report to Congress about the examination of state and local preparedness for a terrorist attack

Weapons of Mass Destruction Training Program: Enhancing State and Local Capabilities to Respond to Incidents of Terrorism [PDF - 888 KB] (U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Domestic Preparedness) – training guide for first responders about the development and delivery of weapons of mass destruction

World Health Organization (WHO)