In order to advance water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) emergency preparedness and response capacity at local health departments (LHDs), NACCHO is accepting applications from LHD staff that have prepared for and/or responded to a WASH emergency in the last five years to join the WASH Emergency Preparedness and Response Workgroup for the 2020-2021 project year. Eligible applicants include (but are not limited to) professionals from Infectious Disease, Environmental Health, and Public Health Preparedness).
Having access to clean and safe water during and after emergencies is vital for all communities. When events such as hurricanes, earthquakes, flooding, chemical spills, and other water-related emergencies occur, there is a high risk of clean and safe water being unavailable. Drinking water supplies and private wells can potentially become contaminated and unsafe. Hygiene and sanitation needs go unmet, and the potential for waterborne disease outbreaks increases. Recent events have demonstrated the impact these emergencies can have on local communities, and as LHDs learn to prepare and respond amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of WASH efforts at LHDs across the nation is at an all-time high.
If selected to participate in the WASH Emergency Preparedness and Response Workgroup, participants will have the opportunity to engage in the following activities:
- Connect with peers from LHDs across the country during monthly workgroup meetings to share their experiences preparing for and responding to WASH emergencies;
- Share their experiences and perspectives preparing for and responding to WASH emergencies
- Provide input and recommendations for documents, guidelines, tools, and other resources related to WASH preparedness;
- Participate and present, if available and interested, about best practices, tools and resources at relevant national conferences (e.g., 2021 Preparedness Summit, NEHA 2021).
The application is now open until September 25, 2020 at 5:00 pm ET. To complete the application, please click here.
For more information about the workgroup or questions related to the application process, please contact Deise Galan at [email protected].
