First Hours: Key Websites and Online Resources

• Department of Health and Human Services: Public Health Emergency
  The United States Department of Health and Human Services provides a comprehensive collection of online resources ranging from bioterrorism and emergency preparedness to mental health and traumatic events. This Web site also features HHS news and links to other highlights.
• CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response
  The emergency preparedness and response Web site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information on agents, diseases, and other threats. Available in English and Spanish, this site provides useful links to additional topics and resources as well as the latest CDC news.
• Emergency Preparedness and You
  The American Red Cross and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have teamed up to provide guidance on preparing for a terrorism incident. On this site, one will find guidance on what kinds of emergency supplies to have on hand and advice on how to store supplies, from food and water to disaster supplies kits.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency: Ready.gov
  Ready, the preparedness Web site from the Department of Homeland Security, provides information on preparing, planning, and staying informed. Information is tailored for the general public, business, and children. On this site, one will find information for special populations, such as senior citizens and pet owners, in addition to downloadable tools such as checklists, brochures, and plans.
• Terrorism and Other Public Health Emergencies: A Reference Guide for Media (DHHS)
  Terrorism and Other Public Health Emergencies: A Reference Guide for Media is the media’s guide on how to quickly and clearly communicate terrorism and public health emergency messages to the public. In PDF format, the guide can be viewed and printed in its entirety or by chapter.
• Terrorism and Other Public Health Emergencies: A Field Guide (DHHS)
  This Media Field Guide is a compact companion to the broader Terrorism and Other Public Health Emergencies: A Reference Guide for Media. This PDF version was designed to be printed and used in the field to quickly and clearly communicate terrorism and public health emergency messages to the public.
• Public Health Emergency Response: A Guide for Leaders and Responder (DHHS)
  This guide is designed to provide information on the public health response to emergencies; it is specifically tailored for public officials (e.g., mayors, governors, county executives, emergency managers) and first responders (e.g., police, fire, EMS). Included is comprehensive information on topics ranging from how federal health agencies function in an emergency to legal issues and recovery after the crisis is over.
• CDCynergy: Emergency Risk Communication (ERC CDCynergy)
  This website provides a framework for public health communicators to plan for, respond to, and evaluate communication efforts during a terrorist event. It includes a downloadable version of Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication: Be First, Be Right, Be Credible. The application of crisis and emergency risk communication principles is detailed throughout this book and the Web Site
• Crisis + Emergency Risk Communication
  Crisis + Emergency Risk Communication is a course designed to introduce communication principles and tools for emergency risk communication. It addresses a number of topics critical to successful public, partner, and stakeholder communication during an emergency situation. Available online are a PDF version of the textbook and accompanying PowerPoint instructor slides for those who are training others in emergency risk communication.
• Public Health Workbook to Define, Locate and Reach Special, Vulnerable and At-Risk Populations in an Emergency
  CDC's "Public Health Workbook to Define, Locate, and Reach Special, Vulnerable, and At-Risk Populations in an Emergency," which is available for download, provides a process that can support state, local, and tribal planners as they advance in their efforts to reach all populations—and specifically, special populations—in day-to-day communication and during crisis or emergency situations.

Current State Preparedness Efforts

• Alabama Emergency Management
• Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
• Arkansas Department of Health Public Health Preparedness
• California Emergency Preparedness Office
  Includes links to information on smallpox, ricin, sarin, anthrax and dirty bomb
• Colorado Public Health Emergency Response and Preparedness
• Delaware Division of Public Health
  • Bioterrorism Services for Consumers
    
  • Bioterrorism Services for Professionals
• Georgia Division of Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program
  Includes links to bioterrorism, chemical and nuclear terrorism, and health alerts
• Hawaii State Civil Defense
• Illinois Department of Public Health Emergency Preparedness
• Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management
• Kansas Division of Emergency Management
• Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Emergency Preparedness
• Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
• Maine Department of Health and Human Services Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness
• Maryland Emergency Management Agency
• Massachusetts Emergency Preparedness Bureau
• Minnesota Department of Health Bioterrorism
• Mississippi Department of Health Emergency Preparedness and Response
• Montana Public Health Emergency Preparedness
• Nebraska Emergency Management Agency
• Nevada Division of Emergency Management
• New Hampshire Department of Safety Emergency Management Homeland Security and Terrorism Bioterrorism
• New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Emergency Preparedness
  Includes links to biological, chemical agents, emerging infectious diseases and radioactive emergencies
• New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
• North Carolina Public Health Office of Public Response and Preparedness
• North Dakota Department of Health Emergency Preparedness and Response
• Ohio Emergency Preparedness
• Oklahoma State Department of Health Terrorism Preparedness and Response Service
• Oregon Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program
• Pennsylvania Department of Public Health Emergency Preparedness & Bioterrorism
• Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency
• South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Public Health Preparedness
• South Dakota Department of Health
• Tennessee Department of Health
• Texas Department of State Health Services Public Health Preparedness
• Utah Department of Health Bioterrorism and Emergency Preparedness
• Vermont Department of Health Emergency Preparedness
• Virginia Department of Emergency Management
• Washington State Department of Health Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response
• West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
• Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services Public Health Preparedness and Family Health Program
• Wyoming Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program
• District of Columbia Department of Public Health Bioterrorism Preparedness