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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Emergency Preparedness and Response – Resources

Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Emergency Preparedness and Response.

U.S. Virgin Islands Recovery: Additional Actions Could Strengthen FEMA's Key Disaster Recovery Efforts
Examines the status of federal public assistance programs and grant funding for the U.S. Virgin Islands in response to the hurricanes of September 2017. Includes evaluation and recommendations for further action.
Additional links: Full report
Date: 11/2019
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Pre-Disaster Recovery Planning Guide for Tribal Governments
Provides a framework and guidance for tribal government leadership involved in pre-disaster recovery planning to ensure their communities can act rapidly and efficiently once a disaster occurs. Identifies a set of activities recognizing that tribes have varying levels of capacity and methods of planning. These include: basic activities to assist in identifying recovery partners, community assets, resources and resource gaps, and financial and management procedures; recommended activities discussing the development of a recovery ordinance and recovery priorities; and formal activities for tribes with significant resources to develop a comprehensive holistic pre-disaster plan.
Date: 09/2019
Sponsoring organization: Federal Emergency Management Agency
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Inclusive Public Health Preparedness Program to Promote Resilience in Rural Appalachia (2016–2018)
Describes a collaborative planning process for responding to public health emergencies in a rural Appalachian setting where citizens are more vulnerable to emergencies and natural disasters. Emphasizes the importance of including rural populations with access and functional needs in the planning process to create all-inclusive, all-hazards emergency response services.
Author(s): Jennifer Schroeder, Erin Bouldin
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 109(Suppl 4), S283-S285
Date: 09/2019
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Disaster Response: HHS Should Address Deficiencies Highlighted by Recent Hurricanes in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
Examines the federal public health and medical services response in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico following the 2017 hurricanes, Irma and Maria. Identifies shortcomings of the response and provides recommendations to improve future response efforts.
Additional links: Full report
Date: 09/2019
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Planning and Partnerships: Coordinating Rural Resources for Emergency Preparedness and Response
Discusses how rural healthcare facilities can prepare for natural and man-made disasters, the need for flexibility, and the importance of learning from others' experiences. Includes examples of rural communities and providers responding to a tornado in Iowa, an earthquake in Alaska, and an armed hostage standoff in South Dakota.
Author(s): Tami Lichtenberg
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 03/2019
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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2019 National Tribal and Rural Training Needs Assessment
Reports findings from a survey of rural and tribal first response organizations to understanding their training needs. Includes information on demographics, core capabilities, training needs, and training information and delivery preferences.
Author(s): Kay Lang, Christopher Murtagh, Richards P. Davis
Date: 2019
Sponsoring organizations: Center for Best Practices in Law Enforcement, Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium
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Medical Surge and the Role of Health Clinics
Results of a study exploring the scope and level of implementation of emergency management activities among health clinics, including Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics. Uses information from 175 online surveys with health clinic leaders from 38 states. Features statistics from participating clinics, with breakdowns by urban, suburban, rural, and remote locations, and type of clinic.
Additional links: Summary
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response
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Rural and Frontier Healthcare Coalitions: A Preparedness and Response Snapshot
Summarizes interviews with rural and frontier healthcare coalitions from nine states. Describes the characteristics of healthcare coalitions. Covers strengths, barriers, and opportunities for rural and frontier healthcare coalitions.
Author(s): Shannon Davis
Date: 09/2018
Sponsoring organization: National Association of County and City Health Officials
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Picking Up the Pieces: Restoring Rural Housing and Communities After a Disaster
Acts as a guide to inform and identify resources for rural survivors, local organizations, and communities to rebuild housing and communities after a disaster with an emphasis on housing assistance.
Additional links: Special Supplement
Date: 09/2018
Sponsoring organization: Housing Assistance Council
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School District Crisis Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Plans — United States, 2006, 2012, and 2016
Examines crisis preparedness in schools, with data on urban, suburban, town, and rural areas. Includes information on district requirements for school preparedness related to family reunification procedures, pandemic influenza or other infectious disease outbreak response, provisions for special needs or mental health services, and funding for or provision of crisis preparedness training.
Author(s): Judy Kruger, Nancy Brener, Rebecca Leeb, et al.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 67(30), 809-814
Date: 08/2018
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Last Updated: 3/26/2025