Chemical Preparedness
Large-scale chemical emergencies are low-probability but high-impact events. When one does occur, action needs to be taken immediately to limit the severity of the impact on health. Local health departments (LHDs) play a key role in response.
Results from the 2022 Preparedness Profile, a nationally representative survey to gather key insights and information about preparedness trends and emerging issues at LHDs, found that nearly half (48%) of local health departments did not conduct any preparedness or response activities related to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) events in the past year. Additionally:
- 38% of LHDs conducted planning related to CBRN events; 14% of LHDs conducted drills/exercises; 3% of LHDs responded to actual emergency events.
- 16% of LHDs activities/functions related to CBRN activities in the past three years increased.
- 14% of LHDs activities activities/functions related to CBRN activities in the past three years decreased.
To better support local health departments in overcoming these challenges, NACCHO is developing and has identified several evidence-based tools and resources that local health departments may use in planning their response to chemical emergencies.
A new Chemical Preparedness Handbook for Local Health Departments, developed by NACCHO, in partnership with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is designed to assist local health departments (LHDs) in developing effective public health emergency preparedness and response plans for low-probability, high-risk chemical incidents. The handbook contains information on chemical incident planning and mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. It also contains several planning checklists with recommended steps and actions for LHDs to consider when developing preparedness plans tailored to their community.
ChemPrep Connect Virtual Community is open to all local health department staff. ChemPrep Connect is a dedicated virtual community designed to empower local health departments (LHDs) in preparing for and responding to chemical incidents. ChemPrep Connect offers LHD staff a secure platform to collaborate and discuss monthly topics with one another, share best practices and resources, seek peer advice, and raise questions to a network of public health professionals who understand the unique demands of chemical incident planning. Click here to learn more.
This toolkit contains background information on chemical emergencies, preparedness and response guidance, trainings, templates and examples for public communications, case studies, and more.
Sign up to receive the Preparedness Brief Digest to stay updated on resources and tools from NACCHO’s Chemical Preparedness portfolio.
| Resource Name/Link | Description | Type of Resource | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strategy for Developing a Community Chemical Response Plan | Brief overview for developing a chemical response plan | Guidance | CHEMM |
| Planning and Decision Framework for Chemical Incident Consequence Management | Consequence management planning and decision framework for response and recovery from a large-scale hazardous chemical incident | Guidance | FEMA |
| Public Health Preparedness and Response to Chemical and Radiological Incidents: Functions, Practices, and Areas for Future Work | Framework for public health preparedness and response roles in chemical and radiological | Guidance | LaTourrette et al., 2009. RAND Corporation |
| Hazardous Materials Response: A Guide to Aid Local Health Directors and Staff in Planning For and Responding to Hazardous Materials Releases - Connecticut Department of Public Health | Guide for state and local health department staff in Connecticut to respond to hazmat releases | Guidance | The Connecticut Department of Public Health |
| EPA’s Response Techniques | Information on EPA's emergency response actions | Guidance | EPA |
| Hazardous Materials Response Plan An Annex to the Warren County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan ESF #10 | LHD guide for responding to hazardous materials incident | Guidance | Warren County, NY |
| The Public Health Response to Biological and Chemical Terrorism Interim Planning Guidance State Public Health Officials | Planning guidance to help coordinate efforts for responding to biological or chemical terrorism event | Guidance | CDC |
| Key Planning Factors and Considerations for Response to and Recovery from a Chemical Incident | Reference for regional, state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) departments that developing response and recovery plans for chemical incidents | Guidance | FEMA |
| Primary Response Incident Scene Management (PRISM) Guidance | Series of strategic, tactical, and operational guidance on mass patient disrobe and decontamination during a chemical incident | Guidance | BARDA |
| Managing Hazardous Materials Incidents (MHMIs) | Three sets of planning guides for prehospital and hospital medical management of patients exposed during a hazmat incident | Guidance | ATSDR |
| A Guide to Managing Stress for Disaster Responders and First Responders | Framework for stress management strategies for first responders | Guidance | SAMHSA |
| Engaging Faith-based and Community Organizations: Planning Considerations for Emergency Managers | Guide for engaging faith-based and community organizations in emergency preparedness and planning | Guidance | FEMA |
| Chemical Quick Reference Guides | Quick reference guides (QRGs) for responding to chemical agents in the categories shown below. Intended for Federal On-Scene Coordinators (OSCs). | Guidance | The U.S. National Response Team |
| Resource Name/Link | Description | Type of Resource | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication | Course for learning emergency risk communication principles and tools for successful public, partner and stakeholder communication during emergencies. | Training | Reynolds et al., 2002. CDC |
| Medical Management of Chem, Bio, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive Events | CBRNE; medical management | Training | Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service |
| Key Planning Factors and Considerations for Response to and Recovery from Chemical Incidents | Course for learning how to create a chemical incident-specific plan for response and recovery | Training | FEMA |
| IS-5.A: An Introduction to Hazardous Materials | HAZMAT; response | Training | FEMA |
| HazMat Emergency Preparedness Training and Tools for Responders | Training and Tools developed by ATSDR to help communities prepare for hazardous materials emergencies and disasters. | Training | ATSDR |
| Resource Name/Link | Description | Type of Resource | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Practices for Communicating Risk in an Emergency | Key Planning Factors and Considerations for Response to and Recovery from a Chemical Incident | Best practices for communicating messages to the public | Guidance | FEMA |
| Evacuate In a Chemical Emergency | Facts about how and when to evacuate during a chemical emergency | Guidance | CDC |
| Get It Off | Facts About Personal Cleaning & Disposal of Contaminated Clothing after coming into contacts with dangerous chemicals | Guidance | CDC |
| Stay Put and Seal Off Your Space in a Chemical Emergency | Facts about sheltering in place during a chemical emergency | Guidance | CDC |
| Response Communication Guidelines | Key Planning Factors and Considerations for Response to and Recovery from a Chemical Incident | Guidelines for communicating messages to the public | Guidance | FEMA |
| Communicating in a Crisis: Risk Communication Guidelines for Public Officials | Guidelines for communicating messages to the public | Guidance | SAMHSA |
| Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication by Leaders for Leaders | Guidelines for communicating messages to the public | Guidance | Reynolds 2004. CDC |
| Resource Name/Link | Description | Type of Resource | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prioritizing First-Responder Mental Health with Critical Incident Stress Management | Article with three recommended crisis intervention models for managing mental crises among first responders | Article | Hernandez et al., 2021. ICMA |
| A Guide to Managing Stress for Disaster Responders and First Responders | Framework for stress management strategies for first responders | Guidance | SAMHSA |
| Mental Health First Aid for Fire/EMS | Training for mental health intervention among first responders | Training | Mental Health First Aid |
| Disaster Responder Stress Management | Resource for stress management planning | Website | SAMHSA |
For questions or to learn more about chemical preparedness, please email [email protected]