Bioterrorism & Emergency Preparedness

Pandemic & Avian Influenza Information

http://www.pandemicflu.gov

Somerset County Health Department’s Pandemic Information

http://www.co.somerset.nj.us/Health/PandemicIndex.htm

Emergency Preparedness & Response
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/

To Protect America's Health from Toxic Exposures
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov

The Red Cross
The Red Cross is committed to saving lives and easing suffering. This diverse organization serves humanity and helps you by providing relief to victims of disaster, both locally and globally. The Red Cross gives health and safety training to the public and provides emergency social services to U.S. military members and their families. In the wake of an earthquake, tornado, flood, fire, hurricane or other disaster, it provides relief services to communities across the country.
http://www.redcross.org

Homeland Security
The ANSER Institute for Homeland Security is a not-for-profit public-service research organization examining a new set of national security challenges. Initiated and funded by ANSER's Board of Trustees in October 1999 and formally established in April 2001, the Institute believes that preparing for these new challenges will require a determined, integrated effort at every stage of the process: deterrence, prevention, preemption, crisis management, consequence management, attribution and response.
http://www.homelandsecurity.org/

The Department of Homeland Security
The mission of the Department of Homeland Security would be to:

· Prevent terrorist attacks within the United States;

· Reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism; and

· Minimize the damage and recover from attacks which occur.

The Department of Homeland Security would mobilize and focus the resources of the federal government, state and local governments, the private sector, and the American people to accomplish its mission.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/homeland_security/

Online Resource from the International Association of Fire Chiefs
This organization provides leadership for chiefs and emergency service managers. Resources for hazmat, EMS and more. Their mission is to provide leadership to career and volunteer chiefs, chief fire officers and managers of emergency service organizations throughout the international community through vision, information, education, services and representation to enhance their professionalism and capabilities.
http://www.iafc.org/

Be Ready
Terrorists are working to obtain biological, chemical, nuclear and radiological weapons and the threat of an attack is very real. Here at the Department of Homeland Security, throughout the federal government, and at organizations across America we are working hard to strengthen our Nation's security. Whenever possible, we want to stop terrorist attacks before they happen. All Americans should begin a process of learning about potential threats so we are better prepared to react during an attack. While there is no way to predict what will happen, or what your personal circumstances will be, there are simple things you can do now to prepare yourself and your loved ones. Terrorism forces us to make a choice. Don't be afraid.... be READY!
http://www.ready.gov/

NJ Homeland Security
New Jersey has developed a unified statewide system that links every police department and the 21 county prosecutors' offices in the fight against terrorism. The most effective way to report a tip regarding possible terrorist activity is to contact your local police department. Your local police department is closest at hand and can provide the quickest response. In an emergency, however, call 9-1-1. This Web site will be updated regularly. Please check it frequently.
http://www.state.nj.us/njhomelandsecurity/

Get Ready, Get Set…
A site designed for children. Here are a variety of pages about feelings, family plans and an emergency checklist, all laid out in a very child-friendly way. This is an excellent site for parents to go through with their children.
http://www.fema.gov/kids/ready.htm

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is an independent agency reporting to the President and tasked with responding to, planning for, recovering from and mitigating against disaster.
http://www.fema.gov/

Children and Terrorism
The National Center for Children Exposed to Violence at the Yale Child Study Center has developed guidelines for how to talk to children about war. This site also offers resources on violence and children.
http://www.nccev.org/violence/children_terrorism.htm

Help with the Healing, on the Web
Even with the healing passage of time, children can have trouble handling the emotions of fear, anger and grief, and the continuing national war on terrorism raises the emotional stakes. Connect for Kids has compiled resources to help.
http://www.connectforkids.org/nodes/392

Website developed in consultation with school social workers
Materials specific to war on Iraq. Information on Grief and Trauma, Help for Parents, Tips for Teachers, Trauma Intervention, etc.
http://www.tlcinstitute.org/

"Child Deaths Hit Communities Hard: Disasters Demand Psychological Triage"
http://www.aap.org/advocacy/disarticle.htm

"Helping Children After a Disaster"
http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/disaster.htm

Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters
A booklet that describes the impact of violence and disasters on children and adolescents, with suggestions for minimizing long-term emotional harm. Date: 2001
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/violence.cfm

Talking with Kids About Tough Issues
http://www.talkingwithkids.org/twk-news-terror-dom-tips.htm

Responding to a Crisis
UCLA's School Mental Health Project identifies common responses that children often experience in the wake of overwhelming events: persistent fears about being separated from their families, sleep disturbances, loss of concentration and irritability, physical complaints, withdrawal and listlessness. Crisis, emergency, disaster, catastrophe, tragedy, trauma -- all are words heard too frequently at schools today. Almost every school has had a major crisis; every school is likely to have one. Besides natural disasters such as earthquakes and fires, students experience violence and death related to the suicide of friends, gang activity, snipers, hostage-taking, and rape. Some students react with severe emotional responses -- fear, grief, post traumatic stress syndrome. Moreover, such experiences and other events that threaten their sense of worth and well-being can produce the type of intense personal turmoil that leads students to think about hurting themselves or others. The Following links provide a variety of resources and materials for use in crisis prevention and response.
http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu/crisisresp.htm

Strategies for Parents and Teachers To Assist Children Manage Stress
Focusing on the themes of attachment and separation, North Carolina State's Cooperative Extension Services offers specific activities and ideas for families and classrooms, with some helpful advice for teens and high schools. During disasters, many families suffer from the onset of sudden stress. Severe stress can disrupt functioning. Over time, relief from stress enables families to eventually reestablish equilibrium. Informed intervention can speed up this process and in many instances can prevent serious problems later.
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fcs/humandev/disas3.html

Children and Grief
When a family member dies, children react differently from adults. Adding to a child's shock and confusion at the death of a brother, sister or parent is the unavailability of other family members, who may be so shaken by grief that they are not able to cope with the normal responsibility of childcare.
http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/grief.htm

Crisis Communications Guide and Toolkit
This National Education Association toolkit offers approaches and activities for schools at the time of crisis, as well as in the aftermath -ways to return to a new "normal" and help in understanding how children and teens respond to trauma and stress.
http://www.nea.org/crisis

Helping Children Handle Disaster-Related Anxiety
The National Mental Health Association reminds us that each child responds differently to disasters, depending on his or her understanding and maturity. The National Mental Health Association (800-969-6642) can provide you with information about your local mental health association or local American Red Cross chapter.
http://www.nmha.org/index.cfm?objectid=E2A880AE-1372-4D20-C886E4E4AA69EEA1