Emergency and Disaster Resources
This guide serves as an online collection of resources and tools that are relevant to disaster and emergency management. If you would like to learn more about emergency preparedness resources, or explore training opportunities that are available through NNLM, find and contact your region for more information!
MedlinePlus
MedlinePlus is the National Library of Medicine’s website for patients and their families and friends with information about diseases, conditions and wellness in plain language. MedlinePlus offers reliable, up-to-date health information, anytime, anywhere, for free.
Ready.gov (Listo en español)
Questions and items for consideration when developing a preparedness plan, including publications, checklists, videos, and tool kits for community outreach.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FEMA Helpline: 1-800-621-3362
Write to FEMA:
FEMA
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
FEMA is comprised of 10 regions in the continental U.S. and territories. Each region has a regional office that work directly with states, territories, and tribes. Please note the regional and state designation under FEMA is different from the regional/state designation under the Network of the National Library of Medicine.
- Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
- General Contact: 877-336-2734 | Email: fema-r1-info@fema.dhs.gov
- New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
- General Contact Email: FEMA-R2-ExternalAffairs@fema.dhs.gov
- Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, District of Columbia, West Virginia
- General Contact: 215-931-5500
- Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
- General Contact: 770-220-5200 | E-mail: fema-r4-external-affairs@fema.dhs.gov
- Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
- General Contact: 940-898-5399
- Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska
- General Contact: 816-283-7061 | Email: FEMARegion7info@fema.dhs.gov
- Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming
- General Contact: 303-235-4800
- Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Guam, American Samoa, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands
- General Contact: 510-627-7100
- Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
- General Contact: 425-487-4600 | Email: FEMA-R10-Info@fema.dhs.gov
This resource page is in three sections covering:
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Preparedness-Planning, training and education
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Example: Developing disaster plans for what to do, where to go and who to call.
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Example: Creating supply lists and emergency kits.
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Response-Immediately after an emergency when normal life has been interupted
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Example: Putting emergency plans into action.
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Example: Taking action to protect yourself, family and others.
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Recovery-Getting back to normal
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Example: Preventing or reducing stress-related illnesses.
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Example: Rebuiliding damaged infrastructure.
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All phases are connected and influence each other. We recommend that you review your plans regularly, at least annually.
Preparedness
MedlinePlus
MedlinePlus is the National Library of Medicine’s website for patients and their families and friends with information about diseases, conditions and wellness in plain language. MedlinePlus offers reliable, up-to-date health information, anytime, anywhere, for free.
Vulnerable Populations
Resources for “at-risk populations” whose needs are not fully addressed by traditional service providers or who feel they cannot comfortably or safely use the standard resources offered during preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.
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Emergency Preparedness-Information for Specific Groups (Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC))
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How To Prepare for Emergencies (Red Cross)
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Emergency Preparedness (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Civil Rights)
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At-Risk Individuals (Public Health Emergency)
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The National Resource Center on Advancing Emergency Preparedness for Culturally Diverse Communities (Drexel University)
Printable Guides
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Downloadable Publications (Ready.gov)
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Topic Collection: Continuity of Operations (COOP)/Business Continuity Planning (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) TRACIE)
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Ready Wrigley Resources for kids (CDC)
Response
Public Health Emergency: Public Health and Medical Emergency Support for a Nation Prepared (ASPR)
Community and State Information (Ready.gov)
News Sources
Stay up-to-date by following trusted emergency preparedness, response and recovery organizations on social media.
Recovery
Rebuilding
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Coping with Disasters
Coping with Disasters: MedlinePlus (En Español) (NLM)
Disaster Distress Help Line (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrtion (SAMHSA))
Recovering from a Disaster (SAMHSA)
Reunification of Family in the US and US Territories (Red Cross)
Printable Guides
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Technical Resources: Recovery Planning (ASPR TRACIE)
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Publications and Digital Products (SAMHSA)
NNLM Class Recordings
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Creating a One Page Plan to Promote a Coordinated Response to a Disaster (Nov. 9, 2021)
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Less Ostrich, More Owl: Five Steps to Quickly Improve Your Library's Ability to Respond to a Sudden Disaster (Sep. 22, 2021)
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Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) for Libraries Part 2: The Library Match Game (Feb. 10, 2021)
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Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) for Libraries Part 1: Why We Plan (Jan. 27, 2021)
Other Trainings
In Case of Emergencies: Continuity of Operations (COOP) Planning (NLM)
The Medical Library Association (MLA) awards a Disaster Information Specialization certificate for completion of a series of courses and other activities.
Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) Training (Ready.gov)
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills.
ASPR Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (ASPR TRACIE)
Find trainings, toolkits, technical resources and more from trusted sources including the CDC, HHS, and FEMA.