CDC EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMPETENCIES FOR ALL PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS

In order for the Public Health System to meet performance standards in emergency preparedness ALL Public Health Workers must be competent to:

DESCRIBE the public health role in emergency response in a range of emergencies that might arise. (For example: "This department provides surveillance, investigation and public information in disease outbreaks, and collaborates with other agencies in biological, environmental and weather emergencies.")

DESCRIBE the agency chain of command in emergency response.

IDENTIFY and LOCATE the agency emergency response plan (or in large agencies, the pertinent portion of the plan).

DESCRIBE his/her functional role (s) and responsibilities in emergency response and DEMONSTRATE his/her role (s) in regular drills.

DEMONSTRATE correct use of all communication equipment used for emergency communication.

DESCRIBE his/her communication role (s) in emergency response:

• Within the agency
• With the media
• With the general public
• Personal (with family, neighbors)

IDENTIFY limits to his/her knowledge, skills and authority and IDENTIFY key system resources for referring matters that exceed these limits.

APPLY creative problem solving and flexible thinking to unusual challenges within his/her functional responsibilities and EVALUATE effectiveness of all actions taken.

RECOGNIZE deviations from the norm that might indicate an emergency and DESCRIBE appropriate action (e.g. communicate clearly within the chain of command).