Resources

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)
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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.

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

Children, Youth, Parents and Other Caregivers, and Schools

Focused on Older Adults

Disaster Responders

  • 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