Preparedness for all hazards

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emergency preparedness and response

These resources are intended to help professionals take an all-hazards approach to preparedness.

Bioterror

Interstate chemical terrorism workgroup– Information source matrix

A directory developed by the Interstate Chemical Terrorism Workgroup provides users with a list of information resources offering chemical-specific data that could be used during an emergency. 

Pandemics

U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) pandemic planning update VI 

Former HHS Secretary Leavitt details the strategy for the next influenza pandemic in this document.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality – Home health care during an influenza pandemic: Issues and resources

This document serves as a discussion piece for home healthcare agencies and others to consider during a pandemic.  

Medical offices and clinics pandemic influenza checklist

The HHS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) checklist is designed to assist medical offices and ambulatory clinics in improving their pandemic influenza preparedness. 

APIC state-of-the-art report: The role of the infection preventionist in emergency management

This 2009 American Journal of Infection Control report provides information related to the infection preventionist’s responsibilities related to emergency management.

Surge capacity

Infection prevention and control for shelters during disasters, 2007/2008

The APIC Emergency Preparedness Committee created this guide to help shelter staff and others reduce the risk of secondary disease transmission in shelters.

Infection prevention in points of dispensing

This 2009 American Journal of Infection Control article assists emergency managers in developing an infection prevention program for points of dispensing.  

Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on emergency preparedness

This report identifies four key components related to preparing for medical surge in a mass casualty event: (1) increasing hospital capacity, including beds, workforce, equipment, and supplies; (2) identifying and operating alternate care sites when hospital capacity is overwhelmed; (3) registering and credentialing volunteer medical professionals; and (4) planning for appropriate altered standards of care in order to save the most lives in a mass casualty event. 

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality pediatric hospital surge capacity in public health emergencies

This document is designed to address the topic of converting pediatric hospitals from standard operating capacity to surge capacity in response to large numbers of children with communicable airborne and foodborne agents.

Natural disasters

Infection prevention tips for flood and hurricane season

Flood disaster response educational resources

This document provides links from the CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency on valuable information relating to infection prevention and safety during flood disasters. 

Infection prevention implications of managing Haitian 2010 earthquake patients in U.S. hospitals

This document provides valuable lessons learned from the Haitian earthquake and subsequent events.

Special needs population

FEMA interim emergency management planning guide for special needs populations

This Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guide provides direction in the development of emergency operations plans for a large segment of the U.S. population who may not be able to successfully plan for, and respond to, an emergency with resources typically accessible to the general population.  

Incident Command Training

National Incident Management System training

National Incident Management System training is intended for all personnel who are directly involved in emergency management and response; it is intended to aid people who don't usually work together to seamlessly respond to and recover from natural or man-made disasters.