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  Are You Ready: A Guide to Citizen Preparedness

Public Health Emergency Response: A Guide for Leaders and Responders

Order number: PB2008-110086
Price: $16 (Price outside the U.S., Canada, and Mexico $32)

This guide is for people in a state, city, county, or town who come together during times of emergency, make the tough decisions about how to manage a crisis, and put their boots on the ground to save lives and protect the health and safety of area residents.

This document is unique in its attempt to bring together three sectors: leaders, responders, and public health. In addition, it shines light specifically on the public health implications of emergencies -- mass casualties, widespread illness, debilitating injuries, and intense psychological trauma -- present in almost every terrorist-created emergency.

The information is equally relevant to all kinds of public health emergencies, including natural disasters.

 

Major topics include:

PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE

  • Detecting Public Health Threats
  • The Role of Epidemiology
  • Is It Terrorism?
  • Responding to Public Health Threats
  • Containing Public Health Threats

THE KEY FUNCTIONS OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES IN AN EMERGENCY

  • National Response Plan
  • What To Expect From HHS
  • How HHS Works With Other Federal Agencies: Who Is Responsible for What in Different Situations
  • Impact of Foodborne Illnesses
  • Federal Partners in Food Safety and Security
  • Food Recall

ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY AND TESTING

  • Water Supply
  • Air

LEADING THROUGH COMMUNICATION: THE ROLE OF RISK COMMUNICATION DURING A TERRORIST ATTACK OR OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY

  • Communication Challenges During Public Health Emergencies
  • Crisis Communication Lessons Learned From Public Health Emergencies
  • The Nature of Crisis News: When a Local Story Becomes National, Then 24/7

LEGAL AND POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

  • Public Health Laws
  • Legal Questions That May Arise During a Public Health Emergency
  • For First Responders

 

Resources for Updating Public Health Laws

TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF AND EACH OTHER

  • The Importance and Challenge of Safety and Coping
  • Self-Care Before the Emergency
  • Self-Care During the Emergency
  • Self-Care After the Emergency

CONDUCTING EXERCISES FOR PREPAREDNESS

  • Public Health Aspects of Emergencies To Consider in Exercise Planning
  • Common Barriers to Conducting Successful Exercises
  • 10 Tips for Successful Exercises and Overcoming Common Barriers
  • Resources for Exercising

POST-EVENT: LEADING YOUR COMMUNITY TOWARDS RECOVERY AND RESILIENCY

  • Understanding the Reactions of the Community
  • Activities That Can Help Communities Recover
  • Helping the Community Cope: Additional Resources

APPENDICES

  • RESOURCE LIST
  • BIOLOGICAL AGENTS
  • CHEMICAL AGENTS
  • RADIATION EMERGENCIES
  • THE THREAT OF PANDEMIC INFLUENZA
  • DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT