Community Preparedness
- Preparing Citizens—
- Preparing Communities—
Preparing Citizens at Home
Are You Ready? A Guide to Citizen Preparedness (PDF)
Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2002
This guide provides practical information on how families (including pets) can prepare for
disasters. It includes hazard-specific safety tips and covers most natural and technological
disasters.
Attitudes and Behaviors Towards Disaster Preparedness (PDF)
Wirthlin Worldwide, American Red Cross, July 20, 2004
This survey queried more than 1,000 American adults regarding their personal disaster preparedness beliefs and plans. Researchers found that although the American public understands that personal preparedness for all types of disasters is key to homeland security, many have difficulty finding out exactly how to prepare for a terrorist attack or a natural disaster.
Chemical Agents: Facts About Sheltering in Place (PDF)
Centers for Disease Control, 2003
This fact sheet describes "sheltering in place" in response to a chemical incident. It outlines how
to prepare the shelter, how to know when to shelter in place, and how to secure your safe room.
A Citizen's Guide to Terrorism Preparedness
Armando Bevelacqua and Richard Stilp, Delmar Learning, 2003
This handbook is designed specifically for citizens who want to prepare for a possible terrorist
attack. Explosives and biological and chemical weapons are discussed in nontechnical terms,
quick access charts provide facts immediately, and tips for safe travel are included. A section on
what not to do in preparation for a terrorist attack is aimed at providing peace of mind by helping
citizens focus their preparedness efforts.
 Emergency Preparedness Checklist (PDF)
Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2002
This four-page tool walks individuals through the process of creating their own home emergency
plan. It features a list of disaster kit supplies, a place to consolidate emergency contact
information, a process for developing an escape plan, and a list of ways to improve the safety of
one's home.
Fact Sheet: National Preparedness Month
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, September 1, 2004
The National Preparedness Month Coalition, which includes the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, more than 80 organizations, and all 56 states and territories, will encourage Americans to take simple steps in September to prepare themselves and their families for possible emergencies.
A Federal Employee's Family Preparedness Guide (PDF)
U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 2003
This guide will help you to learn what to do before, during, and after an emergency; create an
emergency plan for your family; and prepare an "Emergency Go Kit."
How to Prepare for Any Disaster: Your Easy Step-by-Step Preparedness Guide
Emergency Preparedness Center, 2002
This guide discusses how to prepare for a disaster and what to do if a disaster occurs. Contents
include information on home safety checklists, evacuation kits, and disaster-specific action plans.
 Individual Preparedness and Response to Chemical, Radiological, Nuclear, and Biological
Terrorist Attacks
Lynn E. Davis, Tom LaTourrette, David Mosher, Lois Davis, and David Howell, RAND
Corporation, 2003
This 232-page report identifies actions--linked specifically to chemical, radiological, nuclear,
and biological terrorist attacks--that individuals can take to protect their health and safety. The
actions are appropriate regardless of likelihood of an attack, scale of attack, or level of
government alert. A 33-page "quick guide" also is available.
Preparing for Emergencies: A Checklist for People with Mobility Problems (PDF)
Federal Emergency Management Agency, 1992
This checklist focuses on preparedness for people with impaired mobility. Topics include
arranging for help, teaching helpers what needs to be done, and stocking up medication and
medical supplies.
Residential Shelter-in-Place (Video)
Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program, 2002
This video teaches residents how to shelter in place during an accidental or intentional release of
chemical agent vapor. A companion student workbook is also available in PDF format.
Terrorism—Preparing for the Unexpected
American Red Cross, 2003
This publication directs households in how to develop emergency communications plans,
establish meeting places, and assemble disaster supply kits. It also features basic first aid
techniques.
Your Family Disaster Plan (PDF)
Federal Emergency Management Agency, 1991
This document includes multiple checklists for creating a disaster plan, gathering emergency
supplies, evacuating your home, practicing the plan, and responding to disaster.
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Preparing Citizens at Work
Company Primer on Preparedness and Response Planning for Terrorist and Bioterrorist
Attacks (PDF)
Business Executives for National Security, Metro Atlanta Region, June 2003
Preparing businesses for a terrorist attack is not dramatically different from developing response
plans for natural disasters or other crises. However, "hardening" the workplace, increasing
awareness of potential terrorist threats, training, and interacting with governmental agencies is.
This document suggests policies and procedures for workplace preparation for and reaction to a
terrorist attack.
Effective Emergency Response Plans: Anticipate the Worst, Prepare for the Best Results
National Safety Council, 1999
This article identifies elements that companies should include in their emergency response plans
(ERPs), including employee training, how OSHA regulations affect emergency safety planning,
and the 10 most common ERP errors.
A Federal Employee's Emergency Guide (PDF)
U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 2004
This guide educates federal employees on the repercussions of various attack scenarios or accidents, including releases of biological, chemical, and nuclear or radiological contaminants, and identifies the steps that employees can take before and following a terrorist incident.
Federal Manager's/Decision Maker's Emergency Guide (PDF)
U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 2004
This guide serves as an educational tool for federal managers at all levels, guiding them in their roles in preparing for an emergency. The guide also helps managers implement their agency preparedness plans.
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Preparing Citizens at School
Bomb Threat Response: An Interactive Planning Tool For Schools (CD-ROM)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Department of Education,
October 7, 2003
This interactive CD-ROM helps school administrators and state and local public safety officials
better prepare for bomb threats against schools. It provides a flexible process that will work for
any school and ensures that each school will create an effective plan tailored to its situation. The
CD-ROM also is supported by a Web site, THREATPLAN.org.
 Homeland Security: The Role of Schools in a Post 9-11 Environment
National School Safety Center, 2003
This online document emphasizes the need for schools to develop emergency procedures that
include threat assessment protocol, campus access policies, disaster-specific response plans, staff
training, notification procedures, student drills, and appropriate recordkeeping systems.
Managing Schools Under the Threat of Terrorism: An Opportunity to Train, Practice,
Drill (PDF)
National School Safety Center, 2003
An outline for onsite training in how to manage a school under the threat of terrorism is
summarized in this National School Safety Center document.
 Practical Information on Crisis Planning: A Guide for Schools and Communities (PDF)
Department of Education, 2003
This guide offers schools, districts, and communities the critical concepts and components of
good crisis planning, stimulates thinking about the crisis preparedness process, and provides
examples of promising practices.
The Role of Schools in Meeting Community Needs During Bioterrorism (PDF)
Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science, November 4, 2003
This journal article examines the potential role of schools and school districts in meeting
community needs during a bioterrorism attack. It focuses specifically on emotional and
behavioral challenges posed by bioterrorism, discusses how existing strategies and tools may be
improved, and suggests that schools and school districts become active and full partners in a
communitywide public health response.
September 11th Anniversary Guides—Preparing for the Anniversary of 9/11 and the
Coming School Year: A Systems Approach to a Teachable Moment for Elementary,
Middle, and High Schools
Crisis Management Institute, July 2002
Elementary Schools (PDF)
Middle Schools (PDF)
High Schools (PDF)
This series of reports provides suggestions for superintendents, principals, and teachers on school
preparations for the September 11th anniversary. Each guide contains a note for superintendents,
guidelines for principals, activities for classrooms, and a template for a letter to parents about
activities the family can do together. Activities are age relevant.
Teaching Guide on International Terrorism: Definitions, Causes and Responses
U.S. Institute of Peace
In an effort to assist teachers, this high school-level guide provides lesson plans, bibliographic
sources, and factual material to help students explore the varying views and definitions of
terrorism, some of terrorism's possible origins, and different ways in which terrorism may be
addressed.
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Preparing Communities at the Local Level
 Citizen Corps
Bureau of Justice Assistance, June 2004
This document presents an overview of Citizen Corps, a nationwide program that promotes volunteer activities that support community safety and homeland security. It also illustrates other similar programs, including Volunteers in Police Service, National Neighborhood Watch, Community Emergency Response Teams, and the Medical Reserve Corps.
Citizen Corps: A Guide for Local Officials (PDF)
The White House, 2002
This document describes the Citizen Corps philosophy; the initiative's component programs,
resources, and expected funding; and how local communities can establish their own Citizen
Corps Council.
City of Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness for People With Disabilities (PDF)
City of Los Angeles, 2001
This booklet provides information of special interest to individuals with special medical needs or
visual, auditory, and mobility disabilities, as well as owners of service animals and pets.
Federal Response Plan (PDF)
Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2003
The Federal Response Plan (FRP) outlines how the Federal Government can assist local and state
governments when an emergency overwhelms their ability to respond effectively; protect public
health, safety, and property; and restore their communities.
Protecting America's Communities: An Introduction to Public Alert & Warning (PDF)
Partnership for Public Warning, June 2004
This document reviews the development and evaluation of the public warning process.
 Protecting Your Community From Terrorism: The Strategies for Local Law Enforcement
Series
Volume 1: Improving Local-Federal Partnerships
Police Executive Research Forum, 2003
This publication is first in a series of five white papers that will address local law enforcement's
concerns in preventing and preparing for terrorist acts, even as they maintain their community
policing and traditional law enforcement duties.
Rural Communities and Emergency Preparedness (PDF)
Office of Rural Health Policy, 2002
This paper addresses rural community emergency preparedness in the public health infrastructure
and the ability of rural health providers to respond to emergency situations.
The State & Local Role in Domestic Defense (PDF)
Progressive Policy Institute, 2002
This publication discusses the nation's law enforcement and emergency response systems and
their ties to geographical jurisdictions or to specific functions, and the need to function
cohesively in the event of a terrorist attack.
Threat Assessment Guide for Houses of Worship
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
This online booklet includes checklists to help houses of worship determine their vulnerability to
fire and bombing incidents. It reviews how bombs may be used in a terrorist attack against
houses of worship.
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Preparing Communities at the State Level
 Counties Secure America: A Survey of Emergency Preparedness of the Nation's Counties
National Association of Counties, October 2001
This report outlines the results of a survey that asked counties about their disaster response plans
and readiness to address terrorist activity. It also highlights unique activities in various counties
throughout the United States.
A Governor's Guide to Emergency Management (Volume II: Homeland Security) (PDF)
National Governor's Association, 2002
This report provides policies, procedures, and general information to enhance the understanding
of homeland security issues for governors and their staff. Topics addressed include preparations
and responses, communication strategies, critical infrastructures, chemical weapons, agro- and
cyberterrorism, and nuclear and radiological terrorism.
How Are States Preparing? National Governors Association's Domestic Preparedness
Checklist (PDF)
National Governors Association, 2001
This checklist provides governors with a resource to guide state preparedness against terrorist
acts.
Operation TIPS
Police Executive Research Forum, 2002
This fact sheet features information about the background and purpose of the Operation TIPS
(Terrorism Information and Prevention System) program.
Preparing for the War on Terrorism (PDF)
RAND Corporation, 2001
This paper contains the statement of Bruce Hoffman, Vice President of External Affairs and
Director at RAND Corporation's Washington Office, to a congressional subcommittee about the
nation's need to prepare for the war against terrorism.
The State and Local Role in Domestic Defense (PDF)
Progressive Policy Institute, 2002
This publication discusses the nation's law enforcement and emergency response systems and
their ties to geographical jurisdictions or to specific functions, and the need to function
cohesively in the event of a terrorist attack.
State Official's Guide to Homeland Security (PDF)
Chad S. Foster, The Council of State Governments, 2002
This tool is designed to help state policymakers make important public safety decisions. Intended
as a resource for understanding the states' roles before and after September 11, it introduces
officials to the critical issues of homeland security and outlines factors to consider and assess
when making policy decisions about counter-terrorism and terrorism response. Printed copies are
available from The Council of State Governments.
 Talking About Disasters: Providing Safety Information to the Public
Federal Emergency Management Agency, 1999
This guide summarizes information about chemical emergencies, including how to prevent and
respond to a home chemical emergency and a major chemical emergency.
Washington State Hazard Mitigation Plan
Washington Emergency Management Division, April 2004
Washington State is the first state to secure federal approval for a state plan to prevent and handle natural disasters. Its Washington State Plan provides policy guidance for hazard mitigation and identifies goals, objectives, actions, and initiatives for the state government to reduce injury and damage from natural hazards.
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