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Disaster Relief


Disaster Apps and Mobile Optimized Web PagesDisaster Apps and Mobile Optimized Web Pages

This list of links to apps and mobile Web sites provides a comprehensive array of tools to rely on in preparing for and responding to disasters. – More...


What to do in a storm

 

Download tips: For Health Professionals, Drinking Water, Transmitted Diseases for Food and Water, Transmitted Diseases by Vectors, Mental Health and Prevent Accidents.

 

A storm is a rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has a closed low-level circulation that rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and its classify in 4 different categories:

  1. Tropical depression is defined as a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 38 mph.
  2. Tropical Storm is a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph.
  3. Hurricane is a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 74 mph.
  4. Major Hurricane is a tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 111 mph or higher, corresponding to a Category 3, 4 or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

The number of people affected by destructive winds and heavy rains from hurricanes is growing. Hurricanes cause the destruction and collapse of infrastructure, with adverse effects on health in the form of injury, trauma, and drowning.

 

House damages generates loss of critical services (water, power) and population displacement to shelter can be prolonged for a long period of time. They also have an impact in the mental health of the affected population, and a have a huge effect on health services, causing an increased risk of vector and water-borne diseases.

 

Due to the vulnerability of the exposed populations, some extreme phenomena such as prolonged rains, can trigger secondary events and generate damages and losses, and affect communities.


Hurricanes

We encourage you to visit the following pages from the NLM Disaster Information Management Research Center (DIMRC). You can embed the content from both of these pages on your own Website by accessing the Health and Human Services (HHS) Content Syndication Storefront. When we update any of these pages, your pages will be automatically updated as well.

DIMRC

MedlinePlus

Federal Agency Resources

Agencies and Organizations

Social Media

Crowdsource Resources

Finally, visit the NNLM SEA Page of Disaster Information Resources for Alerts and Feeds, State and National Specific Resources, Multilingual and Evacuation Resources, and more!

Updates: September 13, 2018

Please visit the Public Health Emergency Page for more Emergency Declarations as they are made and information about Public Health Emergency Declarations.

Update September 16, 2018

Hotlines for dialysis patients from KCER:

Information Guide: https://disasterinfo.nlm.nih.gov/enviro/hurricane.html

Embed Syndicated Content: https://digitalmedia.hhs.gov/storefront/showContent/15779

Tweet: #Harvey is getting stronger as it moves toward US; are you ready? http://go.usa.gov/xRGry

Floods

Information Guide: https://disasterinfo.nlm.nih.gov/dimrc/floods.html

Embed Syndicated Content: https://digitalmedia.hhs.gov/storefront/showContent/15711

Tweet: The #floods from #Harvey bring health related issues. Get ready: http://go.usa.gov/xRGrw

Coping with Disasters, Violence and Traumatic Events

Information Guide: https://disasterinfo.nlm.nih.gov/dimrc/coping.html

Lost Person Finder Harvey Event https://pl.nlm.nih.gov/en

Tweet: Tropical Storm #Harvey strengthening in Gulf; expected to become Cat 3 #hurricane as it approaches TX. Search/Report go.usa.gov/x8mwj

Resources from NLM:

Resources in Spanish and other languages

National Institute of Environmental Health Science resources:

University of Southern California, Department of Nursing:

National Institutes of Health resources:

Other Federal agency resources:

 

Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) Harvey
https://www.phe.gov/emergency/events/harvey2017/Pages/default.aspx

CDC/NIOSH Emergency Response Resources
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/emres/flood.html

SAMHSA Disaster Distress Line Helpline
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline

  • Tweet: Immediate help is available for those affected by Hurricane #Harvey in Texas and Louisiana: http://bit.ly/2jQqdCN

FEMA Twitter list
https://twitter.com/FEMAlive/lists/happening-now

Health agency resources:

National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) Help Kids Cope App http://www.nctsn.org/content/help-kids-cope

Healthcare Ready
http://healthcareready.org/

Healthcare Ready has activated RX Open to assist in locating open pharmacies https://www.healthcareready.org/rxopen

Create an RX on the Run card with your medical information: https://www.healthcareready.org/rx-on-the-run


Protecting Breastmilk
How do I protect my breastmilk during a power outage?
http://www.eatsonfeetsresources.org/?page_id=2624

Hurricane and Flooding Data
If in Texas at the moment, you can use the USGS Water On-The-Go app: https://txpub.usgs.gov/water-onthego/

USGS Flood Information:
https://water.usgs.gov/floods/

USGS Texas - Real-time data and Response to Hurricane Harvey
https://txpub.usgs.gov/txwaterdashboard/

USGS Hurricane Harvey: https://www.usgs.gov/harvey

USGS Water Watch: https://waterwatch.usgs.gov/

USGS Groundwater Watch: https://groundwaterwatch.usgs.gov/

USGS Water-Quality Watch: https://waterwatch.usgs.gov/wqwatch/


Recently updated information guides from NLM:

Resources from the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness & Response (ASPR):

ASPR has developed a list of official social media accounts for Texas and Louisiana. Find them on the homepage, in the right sidebar under “Get Connected.” https://www.phe.gov/

Guide to Financial Emergency Preparedness
Organize and manage your finances before and after a natural disaster



* Ebola: Information, Resources and News

Visit the Ebola Resources web site - Mobile Apps - Videos



* UN: Plan of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience

United Nations: Plan of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction for ResilienceLosses from disasters are a threat to people's lives and development; disaster risk is accumulating in most regions. The scale of vulnerability and exposure to hazards, and the resulting demand for assistance and protection are projected to increase substantially over the next decades. This is due to a combination of climate risk, resource scarcity and drought, ecosystem degradation, livelihoods' impoverishment, demographic changes, and limited capacities to manage risks from natural, technological and biological hazards, including epidemic diseases. Now, more than ever, disaster risk reduction must be integral to sustainable development.

The Plan of Action outlines the purpose, a set of core commitments and actions, a shared approach to measure impact and progress, and steps for implementation. The Plan of Action also embraces the international momentum to use "resilience" as a common outcome that integrates poverty reduction, disaster risk reduction, sustainable livelihoods and climate change adaptation, as integral to sustainable development. - Download pdf



Humanitarian Needs Assessment – The Good Enough Guide

ACAPS has published Humanitarian Needs Assessment – The Good Enough Guide, to help humanitarian staff design and implement needs assessments in emergencies.

What assistance do disaster-affected communities need? This book guides humanitarian field staff in answering this vital question during the early days and weeks after a disaster, when timely and competent assessment is crucial for informed decision making. Developed by the Emergency Capacity Building Project (ECB) and the Assessment Capacities Project (ACAPS), the Good Enough Guide is especially aimed at national project managers and their teams. Essential reading for field staff carrying out assessments, the Good Enough Guide is also for humanitarian policy makers and researchers. » Download pdf (2.89 mb)



Be Prepared: Disaster PlanningBe Prepared: Disaster Planning
Resources to prepare your nonprofit or public library's technology for a disaster

Disaster preparedness isn't just about being ready for a fire or earthquake; it's a nimble, flexible approach to your organization's day-to-day programs and operations.

A natural disaster may never hit your office, but by adopting certain technologies and strategies, you can deepen your nonprofit's impact and make your work faster and more efficient. The resources in this toolkit will not only prepare you for a crisis, but also deepen the impact of your nonprofit or charity in times of health.

The Resilient Organization is a holistic guide to disaster planning and recovery. This book is intended both for organizations striving to be better prepared for an emergency and for organizations striving to rebuild and maintain operations after a disaster.

Download The Resilient Organization



Prioritization of Themes and Research Questions for Health Outcomes in Natural Disasters, Humanitarian Crises or Other Major Healthcare Emergencies

This details the methodology for the process, and most importantly lists the 30 priority questions that were identified. Please share this paper with anyone in your organisation who is interested in priority setting.



Prioritization of Themes and Research Questions for Health Outcomes in Natural Disasters, Humanitarian Crises or Other Major Healthcare Emergencies

This details the methodology for the process, and most importantly lists the 30 priority questions that were identified. Please share this paper with anyone in your organisation who is interested in priority setting.




Act Now, Save Later

United Nations Development Programme

Since the year 2000, almost 1 million people have lost their lives to disasters caused by natural hazards. 2 billion people have been affected. 1 trillion dollars in damage was caused.

Every one dollar spent on preparing for disasters could save seven dollars in response. Yet, the international community is spending only 1% of aid on disaster preparedness.

We can't prevent disasters, but we can help prevent the human tragedies they cause.

Join the campaign, Act Now, Save Later!
United Nations Development Programme
Building Resilience: the importance of prioritising disaster risk reduction
– a United Nations Development Programme Perspective
15 August 2012 - Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator


How Influenza Pandemics Occur



The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases explains the emergence and potential spread of new influenza viruses.



Key Resources

The following are are links to technical and practical information that will help health workers, health policy makers, program managers, and others respond to the disasters and emergencies.

They cover the vital sectors in emergencies, including health, water and sanitation, food security, and shelter. The resources include manuals, reference tables, checklists, briefs, pamphlets, posters, and teaching and training materials, and tools and job aids. Feel free to adapt them for your local circumstances and languages.

People LocatorPeople Locator
ReUnite® is designed to be used after major disasters to help speed reunification of family and friends via our NLM's PEOPLE LOCATOR® website. ReUnite® and the PEOPLE LOCATOR® are elements of an R&D project called the Lost Person Finder Project effort investigating tools and technologies to speed family reunification after disasters. Users report and search for missing or found person's information for specific disasters via this service. This is a project of the Communications Engineering Branch at the Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications of the National Library of Medicine for more information click here.

We synchronize data with the same event on Google's Person Finder.
To search and report via our ReUnite® app: See download links here for iOS and Android versions.

Challenging environments, emergencies, reconstruction situations, resilience issues

Urban WASH in Emergencies

Technical Notes on Drinking-water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Emergencies
- French

Sustainable sanitation for emergencies and reconstruction situations

Compendium of WASH in Schools Facilities in Emergencies

Excreta Disposal in Emergencies - A Field Manual

Linking Relief and Development in the WASH Sector - An Overview and Contribution to the International Debate

Wikipedia pages on emergency and sanitation topics:
Bucket toilet, section emergencies
Water supply and sanitation in Haiti
Emergency management
Disaster risk reduction

Hesperian Health GuidesHesperian Health Guides is a nonprofit health information and health education source that develops accessible materials in many languages. Access free information in Hesperian's HealthWiki related to disaster relief and emergencies.

Share health information.

Nepalese editions of 6 Hesperian books are freely available online. Download chapters from the Nepali Community Guide to Environmental Health on sanitation, hygiene, water purification, and more. Check out the other titles on the Nepali language hub, tell your networks about these resources, and make copies available to your family and friends in Nepal. (We are relieved to report that Hesperian's longtime advisor and translation partner in Nepal, Dr. Aruna Uprety, has e-mailed to let us know that she and others from RHEST have survived the earthquake.)

Donate to Global Giving, the American Himalayan Foundation, the American Jewish World Service and others involved in relief efforts. The New York Times is maintaining a list of organizations contributing to the effort.

Inform healthcare professionals aiding in the earthquake response (including libraries and organizations) that the US National Library of Medicine's Emergency Access Initiative is granting free access to full text articles from major biomedical titles to healthcare professionals, librarians, and the public affected by disasters.

Tech-savvy volunteers can contact MicroMappers, an initiative preparing to analyze tweets and pictures for evidence of damage and needs in affected areas of Nepal and India.

Check Hesperian's blog for updates and new ways to get involved in relief efforts.

First Aid: Available in English and Spanish
Water and Sanitation, Keys to Staying Healthy: Available in English and French
Belly Pain, Diarrhea, and Worms: Available in English, Portuguese, and French
Health Problems from Unsafe Water: Available in English and Spanish
Protecting Community Water: Available in English and Spanish
Building Toilets: Available in English and Spanish
Safe cooking stoves, protection from pests, and more: Available in English and Spanish
Rape and Sexual Assault: Available in English and Spanish
Refugees and Displaced Women: Available in English and Spanish
Women's Mental Health: Available in English and Spanish
Labor and Giving Birth: Available in English and Spanish

More resources from Hesperian Health Guides

ReliefWeb

ReliefWeb is your source for timely, reliable and relevant humanitarian information and analysis. Our goal is to help you make sense of humanitarian crises worldwide.
More...

AlertNet

Provides news and communications services to international disaster relief organisations and the public. From the Reuters Foundation.
More...

Evidence Aid

The Evidence Aid project was established following the tsunami in the Indian Ocean in December 2004. It provides resources for decision-makers before, during and after disasters and other humanitarian emergencies. Resources...

Google Public Alerts

Information on a natural disaster or other emergency anywhere in the world via Google Maps. It aims to keep you informed of emergency alerts for floods, tornadoes, winter storms, and other dangers that may be headed your way. – More...

OneResponse

OneResponse is a collaborative inter-agency website designed to enhance humanitarian coordination within the cluster approach, and support the predictable exchange of information in emergencies at the country level. – More...

WHO Global Alert and Response (GAR)

WHO tracks the evolving infectious disease situation, sound the alarm when needed, share expertise, and mount response needed to protect populations from the consequences of epidemics, whatever and wherever might be their origin. – More...

UNICEF in Emergencies

Though emergencies grow increasingly complex, their impacts ever more devastating, UNICEF remains dedicated to providing life-saving assistance to children affected by disasters, and to protecting their rights in any circumstances, no matter how difficult.

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

UNISDR is the United Nation's office for disaster risk reduction. It was created in December 1999 as part of the UN Secretariat with the purpose of ensuring the implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. View All Publications

Facts for Life: Emergencies: preparedness and response

Emergencies such as conflicts, disasters or epidemics, expose families to risks that make them especially vulnerable to disease, malnutrition and violence.
More...

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

An international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural or man-made disasters. – More...

Essential Health Links

This resource provides more than 750 useful websites for health professionals, medical library communities, publishers, and NGOs in developing and emerging countries.
More...

USAID's Infant & Young Child Nutrition Project

Infant Feeding and Emergencies - Aims to improve nutrition for mothers, infants, and young children and promote HIV-free survival of children, focusing on proven interventions that are effective during pregnancy through the first two years of life. – More...

Project NOAH

Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards) is the Philippine government's initiative to undertake disaster science research and development, advance the use of cutting edge technologies, and recommend innovative information... More...

How Young People Can Respond to Disasters in a Changing World

This resource from Plan International is designed to give young people in the developing world knowledge about how to prepare and reduce risks they could face when disasters impact their communities.

Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation

Integrates perspectives from several historically distinct research communities studying climate science, climate impacts, adaptation to climate change, disaster risk management

World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine

The World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine is a non-operational, non-governmental, multidisciplinary organization whose mission is the global improvement of prehospital and emergency health care, public health, & disaster health and preparedness.

Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies

INEE is an open, global network of practitioners and policy makers working together to ensure all persons the right to quality education and a safe learning environment in emergencies and post-crisis recovery. – More...

Emergency Nutrition Network

ENN has developed programming, production of training materials and policy guidance on Infant Feeding in Emergencies
More...

Working Group: Emergency and reconstruction situations

The objective of this working group is to combine the knowledge from experts in the fields of sanitation with the knowledge from experts in the field of emergency response and reconstruction. – Presentations, Documents, Workshop

Operational Guidance on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies

Provides concise, practical (but non technical) guidance on how to ensure appropriate infant and young child feeding in emergencies. Available in 13 languages.
More ...

Virtual 10-Step Approach to Service Continuity Planning

This class is one of three primary components of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine Emergency Preparedness & Response Plan. While the focus of the class is on enabling libraries to maintain their information services to their patrons.... – More...

Social Media Tracks Disease Spread

Analysis of social media and internet news reports can enable researchers to track a disease outbreak faster than conventional medical notifications. Fast and accurate tools are needed to help avoid such national and international epidemics.

Winter Survival Kit

The Winter Survival Kit app can be as critical as a physical winter survival kit if you find yourself stuck or stranded in severe winter weather conditions. This app will help you find your current location, call 911, notify your friends and family, calculate.... – More...

The Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health

A gateway to freely available online resources related to disaster medicine and public health. Resources include expert guidelines, factsheets, websites, research reports, articles, and other tools aimed at the public health community. – More...

Haiti Relief Toolkit: Essential Knowledge and Resources for Relief Efforts

The toolkit covers the vital sectors in emergencies, including health, water and sanitation, food security, and shelter. It also covers key field activities supporting the operations.
More...

Best Practice Guidelines on Emergency Surgical Care in Disaster Situations

The topics include antibiotic treatment, sterilization, waste management, laceration and wound management, amputations, upper and lower extremity injuries, and printable 'best practice protocols' for numerous emergency/disaster situations. – Download

Health Exchange: Responding to emergencies

Has the humanitarian sector come of age? What lessons can we learn from past experience? What needs to be reformed so that we can better respond to people's health needs in emergencies? – More...

Latest Earthquakes in the World

Worldwide earthquakes with M4.5+ located by USGS and Contributing Agencies. Maps are updated whenever a new earthquake has been located.
More... ShakeOut Earthquake Drills

Disaster Relief 2.0: The Future of Information Sharing in Humanitarian Emergencies

How the humanitarian community and the emerging volunteer and technical communities worked together in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti – Download

Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH)

The Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is the US's first hotline dedicated to providing disaster crisis counseling. The toll-free Helpline - 1-800-985-5990 - operates 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week. SMS (Text 'TalkWithUs' to 66746) – Download

Guidelines for the prevention of infections associated with combat-related injuries

2011 update: endorsed by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Surgical Infection Society. Despite advances in resuscitation and surgical management of — More

Public Health Management of Disasters: A Pocket Guide

This pocket guide will provide a quick field resource for public health interventions in the days immediately following emergencies.
Download

Raising Clean Hands

Improved water, sanitation and hygiene education helps fulfil every child's right to health and education. WASH in Schools enjoys widespread recognition for its significant role in achieving the Millennium Development Goals – Download

WASH in Schools: Monitoring Package

Safe and child-friendly water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in schools improves health, boosts education achievement, promotes gender equity and has a positive impact on communities. – Download

WASH in Schools in Emergencies

The guidebook is for people who work with children in a school setting. It does not require specialist WASH skills, knowledge or experience.
Download

Ready Wrigley: Prepares for Hurricanes

Join Ready Wrigley as she and her family prepare for emergencies! Wrigley's preparedness adventure will help you and your family get ready for the unexpected. In an emergency, would you know what to do? Ready Wrigley to the rescue!

Minimum Standards for Education in Emergencies, Chronic Crises and ...

Wars and natural disasters deny generations the knowledge and opportunities that an education can provide. Education is not only a right, but in situations of emergencies, chronic crises and early reconstruction, – Download Handbook - Update

Children in disasters: Games and guidelines to engage youth in risk reduction

Provides guidance to Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies on effectively engaging in informal Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) educational initiatives
Download

Pediatric Preparedness Resource Kit

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) developed The Pediatric Preparedness Resource Kit in response to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. This resource allows for pediatricians, public health leaders and other pediatric care... More.. Download pdf

TeachUNICEF: Emergencies

Many children face danger after a natural disaster or an emergency. The teacher resources in this collection raise students' awareness about both natural and war-related emergencies, the ensuing humanitarian response and other areas – More...

Global Health Cluster

WHO and partners work together both at the global/regional and country levels to improve the effectiveness, predictability and accountability of humanitarian health action. At the global/regional level, health partners work to strengthen their individual and – More...

Global Education Cluster

Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) - Education Cluster Strategic Plan 2011-2013 - to provide an overarching framework to better focus and support the collective action of organizations involved in education preparedness, response and recovery – More...

Medscape: Drugs, Diseases & Procedures

This comprehensive resource includes a detailed table of contents, search engine, and bibliographies.
More...

Guidelines for the Prevention and Clinical Management of Snakebite in Africa

Topics include Morphological characteristics and distribution of venomous snakes, prevention of snakebite, venoms, antivenoms and treatment ancillary treatment and management at the community level. – Download

Hand Book on Treatment Guidelines for Snake Bite and Scorpion Sting

This handbook will help to redefine patient care for those who suffer from snake bite and scorpion sting and will be useful for health care providers, patients and policy makers.
From the Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, India

The International Day for Disaster Reduction

The International Day for Disaster Reduction is organized every year on October 13th to celebrate and raise awareness about what we can all do to reduce our risk to disasters from earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornados, etc...

Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes (KSAs) for the Public Health Preparedness and Response Core Competency Model

With natural and or manmade disasters occurring more frequently across our nation, public health professionals are facing new challenges that require competencies... More....

Clinical Treatment Guidelines for Wildland Fire Medical Units

The necessity of identifying a systematic approach for the care of the sick and injured on wildland fire incidents has expanded over the last 30 years.

Doctors For You

Doctors for You (DFY) is a humanitarian Organization based out of India, formed by doctors, medicalstudents and like minded people. DFY focuses on providing medical care to the vulnerable communities during crisis and non-crisis situations.

UK-Med

UK-Med grew out of the South Manchester Accident Rescue Team that started life as a local medical team acting in support of the rescue and ambulance services in Manchester. The team attended earthquakes in Armenia and Iran as well as .... More....

Psychological First Aid - Field Worker's Guide

This guide was developed in order to have widely agreed upon psychological first aid material for use in developing countries. The material included in this guide is compiled from various internationally approved references mentioned at the end of this booklet.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

From the National Child Traumatic Stress Network and the National Center for PTSD - Psychological First Aid is an evidence-informed approach for assisting children, adolescents, adults, and families in the aftermath of disaster and terrorism.

Videos: Workplace and Environmental Health and Safety

Most of the 300 clips are taken from old government and industrials films.They are short segments from wonderful old films and clips to use in teaching. Click here if you want copies of any of these for use in your training.

FEMA Emergency Management Institute: Independent Study Home Program

The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) offers self-paced courses designed for people who have emergency management responsibilities and the general public. All are offered free-of-charge to those who qualify for enrollment.

Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) - Training

OSHA offers a wide selection of training courses and educational programs to help broaden worker and employer knowledge on the recognition, avoidance, and prevention of safety and health hazards in their workplaces.

Tox Town Info on Toxic Chemicals and Disaster Health Concerns

Tox Town provides basic, background information on toxic chemicals and environmental health risks and is suggested for students, educators, and the concerned public who want to learn more about these topics.

Environmental Virtual Campus

Among the biggest challenges facing colleges and universities is the sheer number of environmental regulations that govern their activities. Universities are particularly challenged by these regulatory requirements because they tend to be ... More....

Environmental Virtual Campus

Authoritative training tools to assist emergency response organizations in saving lives, combatting terrorism, fighting fires, managing hazardous materials incidents, mitigating disaster, and protecting the environment

U.S. Chemical Safety Board

The CSB Video presentation and technical information on chemical incident reports and live models are highly informative, competent and latest in its origins. These videos give indepth knowledge of process safety requirements.

Preparedness 101: Zombie Pandemic

CDC has a fun new way of teaching about emergency preparedness. This graphic novel demonstrates the importance of being prepared in an entertaining way that people of all ages will enjoy. View the novella. Accessible text version transcript PDF.
Resources on taking care of pets and animals during disasters.

We understand that pets are an important part of the family, and once again, we encourage you to take some time to explore these resources and to share them with your patrons.

Protect Your Pets in an Emergency (CDC)

Make plans to ensure your pet's safety before, during, and after an emergency. This page provides organizations and resources that you can contact or access to help you plan how to protect your pets.

Pets and Disasters (American Veterinary Medical Association)

Pets are part of the family, and we need to be prepared to take care of them during a disaster.

Disaster Preparedness (ASPCA) (in Spanish)

Emergencies come in many forms. Each type of disaster requires different measures to keep your pets safe. The best thing you can do for yourself and your pets is to be prepared.

Animals in Disasters

This page from DIMRC offers links to various resources on animals and pets in disasters.


Public Health Emergency Community Preparedness for Tribal and Rural Communities

The purpose of this course is to help public health professionals learn to identify key aspects for local community emergency preparedness plans; ....More....

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) - Disaster Response Template Toolkit

Features public education materials that disaster behavioral health response programs can use to create resources for reaching people affected by a disaster. More....

Disaster Hero - from the American College of Emergency Physicians

Disaster Hero is a free online game designed to teach children (grades 1 through 8), parents, and teachers/caregivers how to prepare for disasters. The overall goals are to ensure that players know what to do before, during, and after a disaster. More....

Recovering Financially - American Red Cross

In addition to the physical and emotional impact of a disaster, you may also face financial challenges in the days, weeks and even months or years ahead. Of course, ensuring your family's physical safety is your first priority. More....

Cochrane Evidence Aid: Resources for Earthquakes

The Cochrane Reviews in this Evidence Aid Special Collection are freely available. A selection of Cochrane Reviews and their conclusions for healthcare topics that have been identified as important in the aftermath of a major earthquake. More....

WMD, Emergency Management and Medical Web Sites
Intended to provide a comprehensive list of internet sites of use for emergency planning and in particular Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and medical emergency planning. It is updated about every six months.

Trauma - The National Child Traumatic Stress Network - NCTSN

Complex Trauma
Domestic Violence
Early Childhood Trauma
Medical Trauma
Natural Disasters
Neglect
Physical Abuse
Refugee and War Zone Trauma
School Violence & Crises
Sexual Abuse
Terrorism resources for parents, teachers, educators, and primary care personnel
Biological
Chemical
Radiological
Traumatic Grief

Reproductive Health in Humanitarian Settings Toolkit

This Toolkit provides donors, decision makers, program managers, health service providers, including emergency workers, and communications professionals, with a carefully selected collection of state-of-the-art resources and tools for delivering reproductive health and related services in challenging emergency conditions.

What does the Toolkit offer?

  • Guidelines and tools for reproductive health service delivery in humanitarian settings.
  • Information on integrating family planning services into emergency management structures.
  • Resources on providing maternal and child health care for people in crisis.
  • Tools for HIV prevention and treatment in humanitarian settings.
  • Guidance on addressing the unique reproductive health needs of displaced young people.
  • Gender considerations that should be incorporated into all disaster management programming, including reproductive health and related services.
  • Guidance on preventing and addressing gender-based violence, a common threat in humanitarian settings.
  • Links to key humanitarian organizations with vast experience and expertise in health services provision in emergency situations.

As of 2011, an estimated 43 million people worldwide were considered forcibly displaced as a result of conflict or persecution; women and girls comprise half of this population. Ensuring access to reproductive health care and related services in humanitarian settings is a cost effective, life saving strategy that can advance post-crisis recovery, development, and economic stability; prevent maternal and infant morbidity and mortality; curb the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, and much more.


Avian Influenza A(H7N9) Virus: Information Resources on Disease Caused by H7N9

Information on Ricin:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Ricin home page
Some materials are also in Chinese, French, German, Spanish and/or Tagalog

WISER [Wireless Information System for Emergency Responders]
Provides succinct, crucial information for first responders and first receivers.
- Ricin record on webWISER, - Ricin on iOS and Android devices. After installing the app, click on "Known Substances," then "Search Known Substances" and enter 'ricin' in the search box.

WISER is designed to be used in the field as an app on a smartphone as well as on a computer. Its content can be downloaded for use when there is no Internet access or can be used while connected to the Internet.

Please encourage anyone in your institutions who may need quick info on chemicals, CDC Category A bioterrorism agents, and radiological agents to download WISER and become familiar with its use. It can be downloaded to iPhones, Android devices, iPads, laptops, and desktop computers for offline access by 911 operators, haz-mat responders, police, firefighters, hospital emergency departments, EMTs, paramedics, and the public.

Hazardous Substances Data Bank from TOXNET,
NLM's most comprehensive record on ricin. If printed, the record would be 19 pages.

PubMed
There are 39 biomedical journal articles on ricin poisoning in humans, written in English.
Search strategy:
(ricin [MH] OR "ricin"[All Fields] OR 9009-86-3 [RN]) AND poisoning [SH] AND humans [MH] AND English [LA]

Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health,
Documents, reports, training materials on disaster topics. — Resources on ricin


Ammonia (Anhydrous Ammonia): Information Sources on Health Effects

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Ammonia Solution (UN 3318); Ammonia, Anhydrous (UN 1005): Lung Damaging Agent
- Ammonia

CHEMM - Chemical Hazards Emergency Medical Management
Note there are TWO pages. The links (Hot Zone, Decontamination Zone, Treatment Area) on the left of each page point to the content.
- Ammonia - Prehospital Management
- Ammonia - Emergency Department/Hospital Management

WISER [Wireless Information System for Emergency Responders]
Provides succinct, crucial information for first responders and first receivers. WISER is designed to be used in the field as an app on a smartphone as well as on a computer. Its content can be downloaded for use when there is no Internet access or can be used while connected to the Internet.

- Ammonia record on WebWISER
- Ammonia record from the app for iOS and Android devices. After installing the app, click on "Known Substances," then "Search Known Substances" and enter 'ammonia' in the search box.

Please encourage anyone in your institutions who may need quick info on chemicals to download WISER and become familiar with its use. It can be downloaded to smartphones, iPads, laptops, and desktop computers for offline access by 911 operators, hazmat responders, police, firefighters, hospital emergency departments, EMTs, paramedics, and the public.

Hazardous Substances Data Bank from TOXNET
NLM's most comprehensive record on ammonia. If printed, it would be 141 pages.

PubMed
There are 136 biomedical journal articles on ammonia and poisoning in humans, written in English.
Search strategy: (Ammonia OR 7664-41-7 [RN]) AND poisoning [sh] AND humans [MH] AND English [LA]
There are 15 biomedical journal articles on ammonia related to fires or explosions, written in English.
Search strategy: (Ammonia OR 7664-41-7 [RN]) AND (explosions [MH] OR explosions [All Fields] OR explosion [All Fields] OR fires [MH] OR fires [All Fields] OR fire [All Fields]) AND humans [MH] AND English [LA]

Tox Town
For consumer-friendly information
Also in Spanish
Ammonia is depicted as a hazard in the Farm scene

MedlinePlus
Chemical Emergencies
Also in Spanish


Useful Links

Disaster Information Management Research Center of the National Library of Medicine
Disaster Types and Topics

Disaster Types
Disaster-Related Topics
Specific Events
Pathways for Public Health Information
Tox Town
MedlinePlus Topics
MedlinePlus Topics en español
Selection Guidelines for Non-National Library of Medicine Resources

Other Useful Links

Below is a list of useful links to non-governmental organizations, professional associations, and international organizations and agencies.

American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)
American Medical Association (AMA)
CARE
Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA)
Doctors Without Borders / Medicins Sans Frontieres
Emergency Nurses Association
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Harvard Humanitarian Initiative
Intenational Centre for Migration and Health (ICMH)
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
International Council of Nurses (ICN)
International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR)
National Library of Medicine
National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT)
Nepal Disaster and Emergency Medicine Center (NADEM)
NOAA Center for Tsunami Research
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
Partners in Health
Regional of Office for South-East Asia (SEARO)
Relief Web
Save the Children
Save Accident Victims of Nigeria (SAVAN)
Sphere Project
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
UN High Commissioner for Refugees
US Agency for International Development (USAID)
US Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
World Health Organization (WHO)
WHO Western Pacific Regional Office

WHO: Guidelines on emergency surgical care in disaster situations
Cochrane Collaboration: Evidence Aid Project
Harvard program in refugee trauma
WHO: Psychological first aid - guide for field workers
WHO: Health Action in Crises
Increasing National Resilience to Hazards and Disasters: The Perspective from the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Mississippi
Medical Management of Individuals involved in Radiation Accidents (ARPANSA)
Role of libraries in disaster situations
University of Birmingham module on disaster management
PAHO: Management of dead bodies in disaster situations
UK International Emergency Trauma Register: Emergency doctors in international disasters presentation
WHO Europe: Disaster preparedness and response
WHO: disaster activities, reports, news, events, contacts, and partners
UN: disaster resilience systems
World Association of Disaster and Emergency Medicine: homepage
Merlin: homepage
Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre: homepage
RedR: homepage
National Disaster Management Authority of India: disaster resilience mechanism
Cochrane: Resources for Japanese earthquake and tsunami
Cochrane: Radiation sickness
Medscape: Bioterrorism and disaster medicine resource centre features
CDC: Guidance for relief workers and others travelling to Haiti for earthquake response
NRC: Advice on potassium iodide and radiation release from Japanese reactors
Pitt: Japan Earthquake, March, 2011-03-11 (This will be continuously updated)
Pitt: General Earthquake information
Pitt: Public Health Consequences of Earthquakes
Pitt: Nuclear health (In Japanese)
Pitt: Tsunami

Southern Medical Journal - Special Jan. 2013 Issue – Disaster Medicine and Physician Preparedness

Disaster and Safety Library (multiple languages)
Preparing for Power outages, Tips for People with Disabilities (multiple languages)
Disaster Preparedness Recipes and Tips
Disaster Preparedness for People on Dialysis
General Preparedness for People with Disabilities
Disaster Help and Resources
Hurricane Preparedness Emergency Supplies Tips (audio and Spanish)

Emergency Preparedness for Seniors

Guidance on including older people in emergency shelter programmes - pdf
HelpAge International and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

We Can Do Better: Lessons Learned for Protecting Older Persons in Disasters - pdf
AARP

Protecting older people in energencies: good practice guide - pdf
HelpAge International - UNHCR

When Disaster Strikes - Promising Practices - pdf

Tornado Resources

Factsheets for parents, teachers, children, and teens:

After the Tornado: Helping Young Children Heal - pdf
En Español [ Después de Pasar por La Experiencia de Un Tornado ] - pdf
Parent Guidelines for Helping Children after a Tornado - pdf
Questions To Ask Your Children About the Tornado - pdf
Teacher Guidelines for Helping Students after a Tornado - pdf
Tornado Response for Kids: Right after a Tornado - pdf
Tornado Recovery for Kids: Making Things Better - pdf
Tornado Response for Teens: Right after a Tornado - pdf
Tornado Recovery for Teens: Making Things Better - pdf
Tips for Parents on Media Coverage of the Tornadoes - pdf

People & Traditions - Tribal Preparedness for Emergencies and Disasters

Our Health

Prepare for Emergencies in Tribal Nations
Federal Emergency Management Administration)
Build a kit, make a plan, and be informed about what might happen.

What is Emergency Management?
(St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin)

For Researchers, Health Professionals, & Educators

Disaster Behavorial Health Information for Tribal Organizations
(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, DHHS)
Provides behavorial health bibliographies focusing on working with tribal organizations.

Emergency Preparedness Education for CHRs
(Indian Health Service)
This train-the-trainer information for Community Health Representatives (CHR) will provide the resources to teach people how to prepare an emergency plan and kit.

Getting Ready in Indian Country: Emergency Preparedness and Response for Native American Cultural Resources
(Heritage Preservation)
This initiative is intended to advance emergency preparedness, stimulate new discussion, and inspire new initiatives in Indian Country, with regard to the protection of precious cultural and historic resources during disasters.
2010 Report (PDF, 49 KB)

Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
(National Congress of American Indians)
Provides policy information, news and and documents.

National Training and Education Division
(Federal Emergency Management Administration)
Provide first responders with high-quality training that enhances their skills for preventing, protecting, responding to, and recovering from manmade and natural catastrophic events. Trainings can be in-person and online and several are free.

Regional Materials
(Federal Emergency Management Administration)
This site offers brochures, posters, and radio public service announcements to help individuals, families, and communities prepare for disasters. They are customized by region to reflect the diverse local conditions and cultures found in Alaska and Indian Country.

Training for Tribal Representatives
(Rural Assistance Center)
Descriptions, locations, and contact information for free training by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Tribal Teen CERT (PDF, 12.4 MB)
(National Tribal Emergency Management Council)
VERY LARGE DOCUMENT. A train-the-trainer manual on how to implement and deliver the teen CERT program in their community. This a developed cirriculumn for adolescent learners. Created in 2007.

Organizations and Programs

American Indian or Alaska Native
(National Resource Center on Advancing Emergency Prepardness for Culturally Diverse Communities)

American Indian Environmental Office Tribal Portal
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

American Red Cross

National Native American EMS Association

National Tribal Emergency Management Council

Preparing American Indians and Alaska Natives
(National Resource Center on Advancing Emergency Prepardness for Culturally Diverse Communities)

Tribal Emergency Mutual Aid Compact (TEMAC)
(National Resource Center on Advancing Emergency Prepardness for Culturally Diverse Communities)

Tribal Information
(Federal Emergency Management Administration)

Tribal Risk and Emergency Management Association

Information About Preparedness for Everyone

American Red Cross Emergency Contact Card (PDF, 59 KB)
(American Red Cross)
Fill out this contact card with your friends and family and have on hand in case of an emergency or disater.

Disaster Preparedness and Recovery in MedlinePlus
(National Library of Medicine)

Emergency Preparedness and You
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention‚ DHHS)

Preparing and Getting Trained
(American Red Cross)

Ready.gov
(Federal Emergency Management Administration)

Ready.gov for Kids
(Federal Emergency Management Administration)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Extreme Heat
Extreme Heat Prevention Guide | Hot Weather Tips | Heat Stress in Older Adults | Extreme Heat PSAs | Related Links

First Steps in Hurricane Planning
(in audio and Spanish)

Just In Time Disaster Training - Parents with Access and Functional Needs Children

Hurricane Preparedness for Parents of Children with Disabilities
(in Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese)

What You Need to Know When the Power Goes Out
(in Spanish and Vietnamese)

Red Cross Launches Social Media Disaster Response Center
The new Social Media Disaster Response Center, located in the Red Cross National Disaster Operations Center in Washington, D.C., will monitor social media outlets for Red Cross related disaster information. A newly created volunteer opportunity with the Red Cross has arisen from the need to monitor social media during disasters and emergencies. These "Digital Volunteers" will be trained to respond online to questions from the public, distribute critical information and provide comfort and reassurance during emergencies. The digital volunteers will play a critical role in working to verify and curate an incredible volume of data during disasters, notifying Digital Operations Center staff of online trends and situational information that can inform disaster response efforts.

HHS/ASPR selects challenge winners for Facebook app
Three Facebook applications designed to help people prepare for emergencies and get support from friends and family in an emergency – from personal medical emergencies or car accidents to natural or man-made disasters – are winners of a Facebook application challenge sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). Review the YouTube videos of each of the winning teams to learn more about the application.
Team APL - Team Jamajic - Team TrueTeam Effort

Epilepsy and Seizure Response for First Responders
The Epilepsy Foundation of America has developed a webpage of resources for first responders to help them recognize and respond to a person during a seizure. Make sure to see the resources under Additional Information, including the document "Important Information for First Responders".

NN/LM Earthquake Summit
The National Network of Libraries of Medicine Earthquake Summit will be held April 6th at the University of California, San Francisco Library and Center for Knowledge Management. The tentative schedule includes presentations by a scientist at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the head of facilities for the San Francisco Public Library System, FEMA, National Library of Medicine Disaster Information Management Research Center (DIMRC), and an expert on disaster psychology.

NN/LM Hurricane Summit Report
The report from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine Hurricane Summit report provides readers with a visual feel for the summit, the content and speakers. It provides background information on some of the speakers, and their past research is provided through hyperlinks. The Takeaways page lists key elements of the Summit that can be used to explore further research.

Gulf Long-term Follow-up (GuLF) Study
Nearly two years after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, more than 10,000 cleanup workers and volunteers have enrolled in the National Institutes of Health Gulf Long-term Follow-up (GuLF) STUDY, a national effort to determine if the oil spill led to physical or mental health problems. Reaching the GuLF STUDY's target goal of 55,000 participants would make it the largest health study of its kind. For more information, people can call the toll-free number at 1-855-NIH-GULF (1-855-644-4853) or visit the GuLF STUDY website.

Emergency Managers Tool Kit: Meeting the Needs of Latino Communities
Visit the National Council of La Raza to view the recently-released emergency management toolkit and accompanying CD-ROM materials designed to improve responsiveness to Latinos in disaster planning, relief, and recovery efforts. This toolkit was developed by the National Council of La Raza in collaboration with the Office of Minority Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Mosaica: The Center for Nonprofit Development and Pluralism, and the National Immigration Law Center.

Training Program on Emergency Preparedness for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
My Safety, My Responsibility, My Plan is a multi-session program to train adults with intellectual disabilities to understand and to be prepared for emergencies. Information is based on the principles set by FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security, the American Red Cross and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Disaster Movies: Lessons Learned
See a list of disaster films from the CDC, which includes a synopsis of the disaster faced and the behavior the characters in the film should have followed!

NACCHO's Podcast with Contagion Screenwriter Scott Burns and Scientific Consultant Dr. Ian Lipkin
In the latest National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) podcast, Contagion screenwriter Scott Z. Burns answers questions about the fact or fiction of the movie alongside the film's scientific consultant, Director, Center for Infection & Immunity, John Snow Professor of Epidemiology, Columbia University Dr. Ian Lipkin. They also answer a few questions from 2012 Preparedness Summit attendees via Twitter.

Mass Gatherings in the News
Are you part of the preparation activity for events in your location? Make sure and check out the web page "Public Health Preparedness for Mass Gatherings". Recent examples of mass gathering news include the measles outbreak after the Super Bowl and London preparing for the Olympics with security drills. What events are happening in your community?

New in the Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health

Communicating Public Health Preparedness Media and Message Guide: A Project of the American Public Health Association and Qorvis Communications
This Media and Message Guide is intended to be used by public health professionals and partners to help provide consistent messages and communications about public health preparedness.

Emergency Preparedness for Farmers, Ranchers and other Rural Residents with Disabilities
Farmers/ranchers, family members, and other rural residents with disabilities are especially vulnerable to emergencies and disasters because of restricted physical abilities and greater physical isolation from neighbors and emergency services. This webinar provides describes the scope and nature of disability within the farm, ranch and rural population, and identifies the basic emergency management issues that may develop for individuals with disabilities living in rural communities.




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