"Disaster resilient communities are, first and foremost, communities that function and solve problems well under normal conditions. By matching existing capabilities to needs and working to strengthen resources, communities are able to improve their disaster resiliency. Community leaders and partners can help emergency managers in identifying the changing needs and capabilities that exist in the community."   - FEMA: A Whole Community Approach to Emergency Management

 

Community Resilience relies on the ability to develop informed, empowered, and resilient healthcare systems and residents. With adequate information, resources, and tools, communities are better prepared to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond, rebound, recover, and adapt to threats and all-hazards.

 

Bureau of Preparedness and Response programs, projects, tips, tools, and resources enhance community readiness and support the delivery of healthcare services to vulnerable populations most at-risk for poor outcomes due to a disaster or incident. Resources support county health departments and partners in their whole community approach to understanding and meeting needs, engaging and empowering all parts of the community, and strengthening what works well.

 

Click on the umbrella above or text below for more information on resources overseen by the Community Resilience Unit.

 

Community Resilience is the sustained ability to withstand and recover from adversity both short and long term. This page contains links to federal, state, and other resources and publications to assist local communities understand, plan for, and become resilient communities.
Children's Disaster Preparedness represents the collaboration between the Florida Department of Health and healthcare and community partners to ensure the safety and security of all children before, during, and after public health emergencies and disasters. This page contains a collection of federal, state, and local resources focused on planning for and managing the emergency preparedness and response needs of children.
Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI) is a federally funded, nationwide project that focuses on enhancing preparedness in the major metropolitan statistical areas where more than 50% of the U.S. population resides. Through CRI, state and large metropolitan public health departments develop plans to respond to a large-scale bioterrorist event within 48 hours.
Disaster Behavioral Health Response Teams work with communities and emergency responders to assist with the mitigation of emotional, psychological, and physical effects of a disaster, natural or man-made. Disaster behavioral health responders apply the concepts of psychological first aid to help those affected overcome the initial impact of shock, denial, and depression when confronting disasters.
Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Program (NEPP) purpose is to organize and educate neighborhoods to increase their level of preparedness to handle all types of health-related emergency incidents. The program is designed to engage and mobilize small neighborhood teams that foster self-sufficiency.
Project Public Health Ready (PPHR) is a criteria-based public health preparedness program that assesses local health department capacity and capability to plan for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies. PPHR aims to protect the public's health and increase the public health infrastructure by equipping local health departments with sustainable tools to plan, train, and exercise using a continuous improvement model. Florida was the first state to coordinate this national public health program statewide, and encourages all CHDs to participate.
Special Needs Sheltering establishes special needs standards, protocols, and technical assistance that can be integrated into the Florida Emergency Management System. Information and resources are also available for Discharge Planning.
Vulnerable Populations incorporates several important programs. The vulnerable populations' toolkit is designed to help community planners better understand the needs of vulnerable populations before, during, and after a disaster or incident. Tools are designed to enhance awareness and assessment of, and communications to those most at-risk.