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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Jenine K. Harris, MA, MAT, Bruce W. Clements, MPH, and Nancy Bush, MBA. Center for Emergency Response and Terrorism, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, 912 Wildwood, P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102, 314-497-7352, jenine.harris@dhss.mo.gov

Effective response to large-scale threats, such as disease outbreaks or terrorist attacks, requires well-coordinated efforts among individuals and agencies. While guidance is available to help states put emergency planning programs into place, little has been done to evaluate the human infrastructure that facilitates successful implementation of these programs. The Center for Emergency Response and Terrorism at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (CERT/DHSS) has overall responsibility for planning, guiding, and funding emergency response activities for Missouri. Thirty-two emergency planners working primarily in county health departments contract with CERT/DHSS to support preparedness initiatives for all 114 Missouri counties. In order to develop and carry out a coordinated set of emergency preparedness plans, the planners must communicate and coordinate activities with each other and with other emergency preparedness staff. This requires building partnerships at the local, state, and federal levels. We surveyed the planners about how they communicate, exchange knowledge and expertise, and provide guidance to each other and other emergency preparedness staff. Network analysis was used to examine these connections in order to understand how the existing human infrastructure supports programs and how it could be strengthened. We identified: 1) the structure of the emergency preparedness system; 2) leaders at local and state levels; and 3) strengths and gaps in communication and expertise. This information is used by CERT/DHSS for strategic planning, targeting of resources, and implementation of emergency preparedness programs. The approach and results would be useful to other emergency preparedness programs in evaluating and strengthening their infrastructure.

Learning Objectives: