Community-Based Planning

State and local public health departments should work with healthcare facilities, public and private organizations, and local community leaders to prepare for a melioidosis emergency response in a way that integrates with the community’s overall emergency response plan and with state and federal plans. Two resources that can help to plan a community-based emergency response include:

• Public Health Preparedness Capabilities: National Standards for State and Local Planning
• Healthcare Preparedness Capabilities: National Guidance for Healthcare System Preparedness [PDF – 72 pages]

Successful emergency planning will include people and organizations who bring specialized knowledge about the community or about laws, regulations, or other issues that could affect emergency response efforts. Some examples of people and organizations to include are those who:

• Diagnose and treat patients
  • Private, public, and Laboratory Response Network (LRN) member laboratories
  • Hospitals
  • Urgent-care clinics
  • Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
  • Independent medical providers, including primary care providers and specialists providing care to those with predisposing conditions (diabetes, excessive alcohol use, chronic lung disease, kidney disease, cancer, or liver disease)
• Provide initial and ongoing response
  • Emergency response organizations, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), local 911 service providers
  • First responders, including local volunteer groups
• Provide expert guidance
  • State and federal public health preparedness officials
  • Infectious disease specialists
  • Veterinarians (for potential animal cases)
• Can help the entire community cope with the emergency
  • Mental and behavioral health providers
  • Faith-based leaders and organizations
• Currently work with people who might need functional, language, or cognitive assistance during an emergency
  • Social service non-profit organizations
  • Community leaders
  • Outreach and community health workers
  • Schools for the deaf and blind
  • Travelers’ aid groups
  • Group homes