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Emergency Readiness
Emergency Readiness Resources: Federal Resources
Federal Planning Resources
- HHS Announces New Steps in Anthrax Preparedness, October 1, 2008
HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced two new actions in the department’s ongoing activities to bolster the nation’s preparedness for a potential outdoor anthrax attack. The steps being implemented today build upon more than a decade of preparedness efforts across HHS and other agencies of the federal government. - Emergency Communications Planning
A primary goal of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) is to support and advance initiatives that further strengthen and enhance the Nation’s public safety and emergency response capabilities in the event of a natural disaster or terrorist attack. As part of this effort, the PSHSB has compiled these guidelines to assist health care providers in building a more comprehensive strategic approach to their overall emergency communications plans. - U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA New Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for Influenza Pandemic, February 7, 2007, provides general guidance for all types of workplaces, describes the differences between seasonal, avian and pandemic influenza, and presents information on the nature of a potential pandemic, how the virus is likely to spread and how exposure is likely to occur.
- AHRQ's Mass Casualty Event (MCE) planning guide, An interesting and helpful guide relating to
providing mass medical care in situations involving scarce resources. - Proposed Letter For Hospital NIMS Compliance May 31, 2006
- Press release and Report: Trust for America's Health report on bioterrorism preparedness, December 6, 2005
- Government Plan for Pandemic Flu, November 1, 2005
- National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program, FY 2005 Continuation Guidance
- Pentagon to participate in international plague vaccine effort, April 18, 2005
Government Executive - BIOTERRORISM: Information on Jurisdictions’ Expenditure and Reported Obligation of Program Funds, February 2005
Report to Congressional Requesters by the United States Government Accountability Office - OSHA: Best Practices for Hospital-Based First Receivers of Victims (January 2005)
- HSPD-8 information page
Homeland Security Presidential Directive-8 "National Preparedness" - Rural/Frontier EMS Agenda for the Future, July 26, 2004
Final draft before publication. - OSHA's National Emergency Management Plan, April 22, 2004
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently published its National Emergency Management Plan, which is now available at its Web site, The publication details the agency's roles and responsibilities during national emergencies, and outlines procedures to ensure assistance for responder and recovery workers' health and safety. - DHS: Standards for Radiological and Nuclear Detectors, February 27, 2004
The Department of Homeland Security has adopted performance standards for equipment to detect radiological and nuclear material to help federal, state, and local officials and first responders quickly deploy the best technology to protect the nation from such threats. The standards apply to four classes of radiation detection equipment ranging from hand-held alarming detectors to radiation portal monitors for cargo containers. - DHS: National Incident Management System, March 9, 2004
The Department of Homeland Security has approved a standardized incident management system that creates a unified structure for federal, state, and local governments organizing a response to terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and other emergencies. - HRSA: Smallpox Vaccine Injury Compensation Program - fact sheet and forms for requesting benefits, December 19, 2003
- U.S. Department of HHS Fact Sheet on Public Health Emergency Preparedness for Bioterrorism: "Transforming America's Capacity to Respond", September 11, 2003
This fact sheet describes activities of the past two years in expanding preparedness for a possible bioterrorism incident, especially ongoing efforts to improve emergency medical response capacity at the federal, state, and local levels. - HRSA Grant Program: Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program (February 2002)
- Background: Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program (February 5, 2002)
- Critical Benchmarks (February 2001)
- HHS Letter to Governors (February 2002)
- HRSA Letter to State Health Officers (February 19, 2002)
- Cooperative Agreement Guidance (February 15, 2002)
- The HRSA grant coordinator is Jane Ball at 202-884-6866
- MMWR: Biological and Chemical Terrorism: Strategic Plan for Preparedness and Response (April 21, 2000)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Contains recommendations to reduce U.S. vulnerability to biological and chemical terrorism, including preparedness planning, detection and surveillance, laboratory analysis, emergency response, and communication systems. Training and research are integral components for achieving these recommendations. Success of the plan hinges on strengthening the relationships between medical and public health professionals and on building new partnerships with emergency management, the military, and law enforcement professionals. - National Disaster Medical System
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
NDMS is a cooperative asset-sharing program among Federal government agencies, state and local governments, and the private businesses and civilian volunteers to ensure resources are available to provide medical services following a disaster that overwhelms the local health care resources. This Web site includes: descriptions of the role of Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT), Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT), and Veterinary Medical Assistance Team (VMAT); links to local response team Websites; and FAQs. - Federal Emergency Management Agency
- Public Assistance Guide (1999)
- Federal Response Plan: Emergency Support Function #8-Health and Medical Services Annex (April 1999)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
There are 12 Emergency Support Function Annexes to the Federal Response Plan of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This link provides access to the Federal Response Plan and a description of ESF #8-Health and Medical Services, which provides coordinated Federal assistance in response to public health and medical care needs following a major disaster or emergency, or during a developing potential medical situation. ESF #8 involves supplemental assistance to State and local governments, including: assessment of health/medical needs; health surveillance; medical care personnel; health/medical equipment and supplies; patient evacuation; in-hospital care; food/drug/medical device safety; worker health/safety; radiological/chemical/ biological hazards consultation; mental health care; public health information; vector control; potable water/wastewater and solid waste disposal; victim identification/mortuary services; and veterinary services. - Defense Against Toxin Weapons Manual
U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases
The purpose of this manual is to provide basic information on biological toxins to military leaders and healthcare providers at all levels to help them make informed decisions on protecting their troops from toxins. Much of the information contained herein will also be of interest to individuals charged with countering domestic and international terrorism. - NATO Handbook on the Medical Aspects of NBC Defensive Operations (February 1996)
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
The purpose of this handbook is to provide a guide for medical officers on the medical aspects of nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) operations. The handbook is a compilation of reference material and as a source of information for training. In addition, it provides the basic philosophy for the development of concepts of operations and in the management, including evacuation and treatment, of NBC casualties as well as conventional battle casualties in a NBC environment.
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