Build Community Partnerships

In a smallpox emergency, the entire community will need to respond in a coordinated and planned manner. No single organization can take care of the sick, stop the spread of disease, deliver supplies, give vaccinations, and handle everything else that will be required. Partnerships within communities and across regions will be essential to a successful response. The specific make-up of these partnerships will vary by community.

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

• Will diagnose and treat sick patients
  • Hospitals
  • Urgent-care clinics
  • Federally Qualified Health Centers
  • Independent medical providers, especially primary care providers
• Can help the entire community cope with the emergency
  • Mental and behavioral health providers
  • Faith-based leaders and organizations
• Will provide initial and ongoing response
  • Emergency response organizations, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), local 911 service providers
  • First responders, including local volunteer groups
• Currently work with people who may need functional, language, or cognitive assistance in an emergency
  • Social service non-profit organizations
  • Community leaders
  • Outreach and community health workers
  • Schools for the deaf and blind
  • Travelers’ aide groups
  • Group homes
• Will help with logistic and security needs
  • Local schools and universities
  • State and local transportation representatives
  • Law enforcement
  • Local government, including those responsible for overall emergency planning
• Provide expert guidance
  • State and federal public health preparedness officials
  • Infectious disease specialists