Public Health Practices

An emergency preparedness presentation that occurred in Waupaca Wisconsin in January 2009 revealed an unexpected concern among regional residents: infection control at faith-based organizations. This topic caught the attention of the local public health nurse who hosted the presentation. As a result, a volunteer subcommittee was formed to address the concern.

Collaborating Agencies Responding to Disasters (CARD) created an emergency planning guide for community-based organizations that describes staff preparedness and outreach to clientele, while also covering the types of activities that should and should not be assigned to spontaneous volunteers (ie, volunteers that just "show up" and wish to help).

The Cambridge Advanced Practice Center for Emergency Preparedness (MA) developed materials for local health departments to promote personal preparedness planning and working with service agencies to reach at-risk populations. They are designed to be simple, clear, and effective at reaching a variety of audiences, and represent an accessible way to initiate or further personal preparedness discussion and activities.

Strengthening the Strengtheners: A Toolkit in Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response for Congregations is a very useful collection of resources, checklists, and assessment questions from various faith-based, community, and federal organizations to help places of worship develop plans for emergencies. The materials include stockpiling lists and considerations, plus information on emotional distress and coping.

Santa Clara County has developed a variety of risk communications materials. The materials are available in multiple languages and are consistently of very high quality. The execution of the messages is noteworthy, and the documents would serve as valuable templates for agencies that are beginning their pandemic risk communications.

An all-hazards guide is designed to serve as a basis for a general family disaster plan. While it does not provide specific information on pandemic influenza, it offers a thorough approach to basic planning for emergencies. The guide provides a template in which household members can record vital information, such as prescription medication needs, allergies, and special functional needs.

The Pandemic Flu and You education packet includes basic, colorfully branded information on personal and school preparedness for pandemic influenza. The documents were distributed to the public through several government programs, including Medicaid, the Division of Motor Vehicles, and Children's Health Insurance Program. The primer and brochure are good examples of basic educational resources, and the disaster plan can be coupled with the first aid kit to guide preparedness activities.