NACCHO has published a new Chemical Preparedness Communications Toolkit. This toolkit can be used by local health departments (LHDs) and public health preparedness planners to communicate instructions on shelter-in-place, evacuation, and returning home during and after a chemical emergency. The toolkit includes several templates for press releases and social media communications. Each template in this toolkit is modifiable, and LHDs are encouraged to edit them as needed during a chemical emergency.

Preparedness: Increasing knowledge about chemicals and public safety interventions and involving the community during planning phases can decrease adverse health effects of acute and unintended chemical releases. LHDs can share information on steps for the public to take during a shelter-in-place order, what to pack in case of evacuation, and how to safely return home.

Response: During a chemical incident, the public relies on LHDs to provide them with reliable and trustworthy information regarding possible risks and health concerns, personal, family, and pet safety, and disruption of daily life. Emergency communications with the public can be done via multiple methods such as phone, alert systems, media, door-to-door, and social media. It is crucial that communication is also accessible for all community members. This includes ensuring that messages are available in multiple formats and languages. Community partners such as churches, schools and universities, and community-based organizations may be able to assist with developing accessible resources.

Recovery: LHDs also play an important role in providing information to the public to support the recovery of the community after a chemical incident. Communications during the recovery phase may target topics such as re-entry safety guidance for evacuated residents, long-term symptom tracking, health care or medication access, available resources in the community ford behavioral health, and environmental health.

Click here to access the toolkit.

NACCHO and ATSDR are dedicated to supporting local health departments in overcoming challenges related to chemical preparedness, response, and recovery.

For more information about chemical preparedness, action checklists, and more, download the Chemical Preparedness Handbook for Local Health Departments or visit NACCHO’s Chemical Preparedness page.

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