Disaster Researchers and Educators
- Center for Domestic Preparedness identifies, develops, tests, and delivers training to state, local, and tribal emergency response providers. We provide on-site and mobile training at the performance, management, and planning levels. We facilitate the delivery of training by the training partners of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. https://cdp.dhs.gov/about
- Emergency Management Institute mission is to support the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA’s goals by improving the competencies of the U.S. officials in Emergency Management at all levels of government to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the potential effects of all types of disasters and emergencies on the American people. https://training.fema.gov/emi.aspx
- National Center for Disaster Medicine & Public Health will be the Nation’s academic center of excellence leading domestic and international disaster health education and research efforts. In collaboration with partners, we create and translate science and education to improve readiness. The focus on readiness, education, research, collaboration, and leadership. https://www.usuhs.edu/ncdmph
- The Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center (VEMEC) is part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VEMEC was established to expand the evidence base in emergency management, and to help VA implement best practices and strengthen its capabilities. VEMEC’s work bolsters VA’s ability to care for our Nation’s Veterans during disasters and to assist state and local communities during emergencies. VEMEC has collaborated with a team of experts to engage in an expansive national dialogue in order to improve national preparedness and develop a vision for the future of disaster nursing.
Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center (VEMEC)
http://www.vemec.org
Faith-Based and Non-Governmental Organizations
Many of the best resources for those that are least advantaged are provided by faith-based and community organizations. Some of those organizations are listed below.
- Catholic Charities, USA Disaster Operations http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/what-we-do/disaster-operations/
- National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster http://www.nvoad.org/
- Brethren Disaster Ministries http://www.brethren.org/bdm/
- Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation http://www.us.tzuchi.org/us/en/
- Feeding America http://feedingamerica.org/
- Habitat for Humanity http://www.habitat.org/
- Lutheran Disaster Response http://www.ldr.org/
- The National Association of Jewish Chaplainshttp://www.najc.org/about/mission
- National Baptist Convention, USA http://www.nationalbaptist.com/
- National Organization for Victim Assistance http://www.trynova.org/
- Save the Childrenhttp://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm
- Society of St. Vicent de Paul http://svdpusa.org/
- Southern Baptist Disaster Relief http://svdpusa.org/
- The Salvation Army http://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/
- United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) https://www.umcor.org/
General Disaster Response and Recovery Information
- Tips for Survivors of a Disaster or Other Traumatic Event: Managing Stress—This SAMHSA tip sheet gives stress prevention and management tips for dealing with the effects of trauma, mass violence, or terrorism. It lists tips to relieve stress, describes how to know when to seek professional help, and provides accompanying resources. http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content/SMA13-4776/SMA13-4776.pdf This tip sheet is also available in Spanish at http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content//SMA13-4776SPANISH/SMA13-4776SPANISH.pdf.
- Psychological First Aid (PFA)—Developed jointly by the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, PFA is an evidence-informed modular approach for assisting people in the immediate aftermath of disaster and terrorism: to reduce initial distress, and to foster short- and long-term adaptive functioning. http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/materials/manuals/psych-first-aid.asp
- Effects of Traumatic Stress After Mass Violence, Terror, or Disaster—This web page from the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) describes the emotional, cognitive, physical, and interpersonal reactions that disaster survivors may experience and discusses potentially severe stress symptoms and PTSD, anxiety disorders, and depression. The page also provides information about how survivors can reduce their risk of psychological difficulties and recover from disaster stress. http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/trauma/disaster-terrorism/stress-mv-t-dhtml.asp
- Protecting Against Asbestos Exposure During a Natural Disaster — To add to the destruction nature of these events is the possibility that the damage to buildings causes the release of harmful and toxic substances contaminating the air, water, and soil in the area. Asbestos is one substance that is present in many older homes and buildings that can be released during a natural disaster. It is important to be prepared for these events and the possibility that your family will be put at risk of asbestos exposure and to know what to do when it happens to keep everyone safe. https://mesothelioma.net/protecting-asbestos-exposure-natural-disaster/
Hurricane- and Flood-Specific Information
- Hurricanes and Tropical Storms—The SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline provides information on who is most at risk for emotional distress from hurricanes and tropical storms and where to find disaster-related resources. http://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline/disaster-types/hurricanes Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 Spanish Speakers Call 1-800-985-5990 and press “2” From the U.S., text Hablanos to 6674
- Disaster-Specific Resources Disaster Behavioral Health Information Series (DBHIS) Installment—This SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) DBHIS installment is a collection of resources focused on preparedness and response for specific types of disasters. The main installment is here: http://www.samhsa.gov/dbhis-collections/disaster-specific-resources?term=Disaster-Specific-Resources-DBHIS Also available are subsections specific to hurricanes http://www.samhsa.gov/dbhis-collections/disaster-specific-resources?term=Hurricane-DBHIS and floods http://www.samhsa.gov/dbhis-collections/disaster-specific-resources?term=Disaster-Specific-Resources-DBHIS&filter[0]=Flood
- Natural Disasters and Severe Weather—The mission of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is to increase the health security of the United States. This CDC website provides information on a host of types of natural disasters, including hurricanes and floods. http://www.cdc.gov/disasters/index.html
- Hurricane Preparedness—The American Red Cross provides tips on how to properly prepare and respond to typhoons/hurricanes in order to remain healthy and safe. http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/hurricane
Children, Youth, Parents and Other Caregivers, and Schools
- Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event: A Guide for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers—This fact sheet can help parents, caregivers, and teachers recognize and address problems in children and teens affected by a disaster. Readers can learn about signs of stress reactions that are common in young survivors at different ages, as well as how to help children through grief. http://store.samhsa.gov/product/Tips-for-Talking-With-and-Helping-Children-and-Youth-Cope-After-a-Disaster-or-Traumatic-Event-A-Guide-for-Parents-Caregivers-and-Teachers/SMA12-4732
- Hurricanes—This federal website offers information geared toward kids on preparing, responding, and staying safe after a hurricane. http://www.ready.gov/kids/know-the-facts/hurricanes
- Parent Tips for Helping Children and Teens After Disasters—These tables list possible reactions, suggested responses, and examples of things parents can do and say to children and teens affected by a disaster. Tables are available for specific age ranges. For infants and toddlers: http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/pfa/english/appendix_e4_tips_for_parents_with_infants_and_toddlers.pdf For preschool-age children: http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/pfa/english/appendix_e5_tips_for_parents_with_preschool_children.pdf
- For school-age children: http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/pfa/english/appendix_e6_tips_for_parents_with_schoolage_children.pdf
- For adolescents: http://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/pfa/english/appendix_e7_tips_for_parents_with_adolescents.pdf
- Fire Safety for Kids: Sparky the Fire Dog – The site is designed to help children learn about fire safety. Sparky the Dog
- Tips for Talking to Children and Youth After Traumatic Events
- Children and Youth Resource Collection from SAMSHA
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Children and Youth—Resources such as coloring and activity books that help children and youth understand disasters, foster resilience, and encourage the expression of feelings related to disasters. Parents and Guardians—Resources on how to help children and youth cope with disasters as well as activities parents and guardians can do with children and youth. Mental Health and Health Providers—Resources such as tip sheets and guides that provide information to clinicians, healthcare professionals, and hospital staff on how to help children before and after disasters. Child Care Providers—Resources for child care providers on how to prepare for a disaster and how to respond should one occur. Teachers and Other School Personnel—Resources for teachers or school staff that include guidelines and classroom activities to use when discussing disasters with children. School Emergency Planning—Resources for school administrators on proper school crisis planning.Children with Special Needs—Resources that can be helpful in preparing for and recovering from disasters when children with special needs are involved.
- Resources for Children and Youth During and After a Disaster from the Administration for Children and Families
- Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters: What Community Members Can Do.
- Children and Disasters Disaster Information Management Resource Center
Focused on Older Adults
- Healthy Aging: Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults—This CDC web page provides links to materials on a range of emergency preparedness considerations for older adults. http://www.cdc.gov/aging/emergency/index.htm
- What You Need To Know About . . . Helping the Elderly Recover From the Emotional Aftermath of a Disaster—This one-page fact sheet lists common reactions older adults may have after a disaster and warning signs that they may need extra help, as well as strategies to help older adults with special needs they may have. http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/preparedness/factsheet_elderly_emotional_recovery.pdf
Disaster Responders
- Tips for Disaster Responders: Preventing and Managing Stress—This SAMHSA tip sheet helps disaster response workers prevent and manage stress. It includes strategies to help responders prepare for their assignment, use stress-reducing precautions during the assignment, and manage stress in the recovery phase of the assignment. http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content/SMA14-4873/SMA14-4873.pdf This tip sheet is available in Spanish at http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content/SMA14-4873SPANISH/SMA14-4873SPANISH.pdf.
- Disaster Mental Health for Responders: Key Principles, Issues and Questions—This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) web page presents information that may be helpful to disaster survivors and first responders during and after a disaster. The page opens with guiding principles and also features survivor needs and common responses to disasters, signs that someone may need a mental health referral, common signs of stress among disaster responders, and examples of ways to care for yourself after a disaster. http://emergency.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/responders.asp
- Psychological First Aid: How You Can Support Well-Being in Disaster Victims—This fact sheet by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network explains how disaster response workers can use Psychological First Aid to help people in distress after a disaster. http://www.cstsonline.org/assets/media/documents/CSTS_psychological_first_aid.pdf
Persons with Special Needs
- Disaster Safety for People with Disabilities: What to do When Emergency Weather Strikes – This is a disaster safety guide designed to help you know what hurdles to anticipate, factors to consider, and ultimately, what to do when emergency weather occurs. It will take into account people at all different ability levels and the kinds of challenges they might encounter during hurricanes, blizzards, landslides, tornadoes, and earthquakes. Be sure to consult with your doctor about any additional precautions you might need to take, as each person may have more specific needs to address. Disaster Safety for People with Disabilities
Fire Safety
- Open Campfire Safety Rules – This is an infographic on campfire safety Open Campfire Safety
- How to Prepare for a Wildfire – How to Prepare for a Wildfire explains how to protect yourself and your property, and details the steps to take now so that
you can act quickly when you, your home, or your business is in danger. How to Prepare for a Wildfire - Survive the Unthinkable if Wildfire Threatens Your Home -To increase your safety and preparedness, we offer the following. If Wildfire Threatens Your Home
- Home Fire Safety for Older Adults: Toolkit – This is long, but starting on page 7 there are kitchen safety tips Home Fire Safety for Older Adults
- Fireplace Chimney Problems, Tips and Prevention – Beyond the safety issue, neglect of chimneys leads to very expensive major repairs that would not be necessary if the chimney were properly maintained. Fireplace Chimney Problems
- Burn Prevention and Fire Safety Tips
- Burn First Aid for Pets