Medical countermeasures (MCM) coordinators who are new to their role have a particularly steep learning curve to become familiar with their jurisdictional plans, federal preparedness guidance and requirements, organizations that can support MCM operations, and MCM product information. There are a myriad of MCM guidance documents, resources, trainings, and tools and one of the greatest challenges is knowing where to look for the most critical, up-to-date information.

To help MCM Coordinators navigate the first months of their roles, the NACCHO MCM Workgroup created the New MCM Coordinator Start-Up Guide. This guide contains a list of steps and resources to build MCM coordinator competency and directs MCM coordinators to federal documents that are critical for MCM planning. The document is available for download via the NACCHO Toolbox.

NACCHO also offers resources for preparedness staff who are new to their role through the Roadmap to Ready training and mentoring program. The goal of the program is to provide participants with the knowledge, skills, connections, and resources they need to successfully lead and coordinate public health disaster/emergency preparedness planning and response activities in their local jurisdictions. Applications for the 2019 cohort open this fall. The application period will be posted on the NACCHO Preparedness Brief blog.