Hurricane Response Guide for Environmental Public Health Professionals
Introduction At the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), our mission is to build, sustain, and empower an effective environmental public health workforce. Since 1937, NEHA has been training and educating environmental public health (EPH) professionals. To continue our support, we have developed this Hurricane Response Guide (Response Guide) to assist professionals and help inform their decision-making processes across preparedness, response, and recovery efforts in hurricane-prone areas. What is the Hurricane Response Guide? The Response Guide is a comprehensive resource that compiles federal guidance, best practices, feedback from subject-matter experts, and national resources. It is organized around NEHA’s Environmental Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPHEPR) Capability Framework (see Attachment 1) to provide a centralized reference for professionals. Who is this Response Guide For? This Response Guide was designed for state, tribal, local, and territorial (STLT) EPH professionals working in hurricane-prone regions or deployed to an area impacted by a hurricane. It is a valuable resource for individuals responsible for addressing EPH concerns during hurricane-related emergencies. Why Should I Use This Response Guide? Responding to disasters can be overwhelming. This Response Guide is designed to help professionals in the field understand the activities and considerations they should address when dealing with various EPH concerns during hurricane response. It provides a structured approach to navigating the complexities of hurricane response and recovery efforts, even in multi-tasking and high-stress environments. When Should I Use This Response Guide? The Response Guide should be reviewed before hurricane season as a preparedness measure. It can also be used during active response and recovery following a hurricane. This Response Guide was designed to be a versatile tool that supports EPH professionals at different stages of hurricane-related emergencies. Where Can I Find Additional Resources? In addition to this Response Guide, NEHA has several other resources that may be helpful. These are available at www.neha.org/practice .
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