Resource allocation and technical support for emergency preparedness in Native American tribes

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the level of emergency preparedness among Native American tribes, identifying achievements and gaps concerning access to funding and resources. Background: Few Native American tribes access the emergency preparedness funds available under the Homeland Security Act of 2002. This has a significant impact on the ability of the tribes to protect their communities' health in the time of a disaster. Methods: The survey, developed in collaboration with the Native American Environmental Protection Coalition (NAEPC), was offered to the 102 federally recognized tribes of California listed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) from October to December 2010. Results: Forty percent of the California tribes were represented in the survey. An alarming 91% indicated that they were less than adequately prepared to respond to an emergency and 41% currently do not have any emergency preparedness funds. Most emergency preparedness resources are available only through non-tribal sources. While only 9% of the tribes represented have partnerships with local colleges and universities, more than 80% are interested in developing such relationships for the purposes of training and grant writing. Conclusion: This groundbreaking study provides one of the first systematic assessments of the vulnerability of Native American communities to disasters. The analysis identified several key recommendations to increase emergency preparedness: the formation of grant writing teams, increased awareness of free training courses, formation of tribal coalitions and mutual aid agreements with local communities, and partnerships with academic institutions and emergency management agencies.