Department of Health and Human Services
Administration on Aging

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Emergency Preparedness and Response

Federal Departments and National Relief Agencies

Department of Health and Human Services
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has a comprehensive disaster and emergency webpage at http://www.hhs.gov/disasters.  In addition, listed below are key HHS agencies and offices providing disaster and emergency information. http://dhhs.gov/emergency/

• (ACF)Administration for Children and Families.
  ACF administers the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). 
• (ASPR) Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response
  ASPR advises the Secretary about bioterrorism and other public health emergencies. ASPR also coordinates interagency activities among HHS, other Federal departments and  agencies and State and local officials responsible for emergency preparedness and the protection of the civilian population from acts of bioterrorism and other public health emergencies.
• (CDC) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  This website contains up to date information about agents, diseases and other threats.
• (CMS) Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services This website provides up to date information regarding natural disasters, extreme weather and emergencies for people with Medicare and Medicaid.
  The following three links provide emergency planning checklists for people living in long-term care facilities and their families:
  residents and long-term care ombudsmen ; long-term care providers ; and people with medical needs living at home  
• (FDA)  Food and Drug Administration. 
  State Health Agencies can be identified at http://www.fda.gov/oca/sthealth.htm
• (HRSA) Health Resources and Services Administration
  This website provides emergency related information for health care workers.
• (OD) Office on Disability.
   http://www.hhs.gov/od/emergencypreparedness.html.  This website contains information pertaining to individuals with disabilities during an emergency.
• (PHCC)Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. 
  Commissioned Corps emergency response teams are managed by the Office of the Surgeon General. They are trained and equipped to respond to public health crises and national emergencies, such as natural disasters, disease outbreaks, or terrorist attacks.
• (SAMHSA)Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
  http://www.samhsa.gov/Matrix/matrix_disaster.aspx.  This website provides emergency related information for mental health workers

Other Federal Departments

• (DA) Department of Agriculture.
  The USDA operates Food Distribution Disaster Assistance and an Extension Disaster Education Network.
• (DHS) Department of Homeland Security
  DHS leads the unified national effort to secure America. Goals are to prevent and deter terrorist attacks and protect against and respond to threats and hazards to the nation.
• Citizen’s Corps 
  The Citizen Corps helps communities be better prepared to handle disasters, threats, and emergencies of all kind.
• First Responders
  DHS is committed to ensuring that first responders nation-wide are prepared, equipped and trained for any situation and to bringing together information and resources to prepare for and respond to a terrorist attack, natural disaster or other large-scale emergency.
• (FEMA)Federal Emergency Management Agency
  FEMA coordinates the federal response when a Presidential Disaster Declaration is made.  Together with the Small Business Administration (SBA), it responds with loans and grants that help disaster victims recover.
•   Regional and State Offices 
• (EPA) Environmental Protection Agency 
  Environmental emergencies involving the release, or threatened release, of oil, radioactive materials or hazardous chemicals may potentially affect communities and the surrounding environment.
• (DoT) Department of Transportation. 
• DoT’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) administers federal funding to support a variety of locally planned, constructed, and operated public transportation systems throughout the U.S., including buses, subways, light rail, commuter rail, streetcars, monorail, passenger ferry boats, inclined railways, and people movers.  FTA has 10 regional offices.
• (DoVA)Department of Veteran Affairs.
  The VA operates the National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder  http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/index.jsp
• (SMA)  Small Business Administration.
  The SBA provides loans for businesses of all sizes, homeowners and renters in the event of a disaster. This includes physical disaster loans, economic injury loans, military reservists' loans and home and personal property loans.

National Relief Agencies

National Relief Agencies serve an important role in emergency/disaster preparation and assistance.  They are often among the first responders to disasters at the individual and the community level.

• The American Red Cross
• The Salvation Army 

Resources for Individuals and Families

These resources are specifically developed to meet the needs of older adults and their caregivers in the event of an emergency/disaster.

• Eldercare Locator  
  If you know the number of your local AAA, call it first.  If you do not know the number, the Eldercare Locator is the first step to finding resources for older adults in any U.S. community.  Enter the zip code, city, or county to locate state and local aging offices in your state.
• Just in Case: Emergency Readiness for Older Adults and Caregivers.
  This AOA fact sheet has step by step information on how older adults should prepare for a disaster/emergency.  It includes helpful checklists, contact lists, and a medication list that can be filled in.  It is also available in Spanish. 
• Emergency Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control. 
  This website contains consumer information pertaining to all kinds of natural and man-made disasters. 
• Emergency Preparedness for Seniors and People with Disabilities, American Red Cross. 
  This website contains a number of resources to help seniors and people with disabilities during a disaster.  
• Are You Ready? An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness
  is FEMA’s most comprehensive source on individual, family, and community preparedness.
• Health Related Resources
  This page includes extensive health related information for consumers and families, including information on heat, cold, mental health, and mold.
• Emergency Planning Checklist, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services:
  The following three links provide emergency planning checklists for people living in long-term care facilities and their families:
  residents and long-term care ombudsmen ; long-term care providers ; and people with medical needs living at home