TIP: If you’re using a phone, or any other device where it’s hard to scroll through the expanding sections below, the format of this page might be easier to read and work with.
For information on an emergent incident, refer to the Activation Level window on our Home page, or our Incidents page (the most recent incident will be the top post). The focus of this Resource page is on planning and preparedness.
Mass Casualty Trauma Triage: Paradigms and Pitfalls
The focus of this paper is to alert EMS medical directors and EMS systems planners and hospital emergency planners to key differences between “conventional” MCIs…
FEMA After-Action Report Resource Bundle
This bundle of AAR/IP tools and templates moves beyond the standard AAR/IP template, and includes tools for interviews and data capture, theme coding, action/improvement planning…
Local COVID Vaccination Clinic TTX AAR/IP template (HSEEP-compliant)
This HSEEP-compliant AAR/IP template is prepopulated with PHEP and ASPR capabilities, and outlines covid vaccination clinic objectives. While designed to debrief a tabletop exercise, this…
2018 Public Health Emergency Preparedness Capabilities – National Standards for State and Local Planning
These are the national standards for public health preparedness capability-based planning and will assist planners in identifying gaps in preparedness, determining the specific jurisdictional priorities,…
Nerve Agent Information
Following the recent nerve agent poisonings in the United Kingdom, the emergency response community has requested information and advice to enhance preparedness. The US Department…
Planning Considerations for Electricity-Dependent Durable Medical Equipment Users
This ASPR TRACIE fact sheet provides information on general durable medical equipment (DME) categories and focuses on electricity-dependent DME that may be affected by disasters…
HIPAA Emergency Fact Sheet
This guide is designed to answer frequently asked questions regarding the release of information about patients following an incident. This guide does NOT replace the…
National Health Security Strategy and Implementation Plan 2015-18
The NHSS 2015–2018 seeks to inform policies and programs; encourage coordinated planning and activities; and guide prioritization of investments of time, talents, funds, and other…
Healthcare Coop and Recovery Planning – Concepts Principles Templates and Resources
This document is a collection of resources, ideas, templates, references and hyperlinks to additional information relating to Healthcare Continuity of Operations (COOP) and Healthcare Disaster…
Healthcare Preparedness and Response Capablities 2017-2022
This document outlines the high-level objectives that the nation’s health care delivery system, including individual health care organizations, should undertake to prepare for, respond to,…
Measles Chapter – MA DPH Guide to Surveillance, Reporting, and Control
This chapter from the MA DPH guide to disease surveillance, reporting, and control contains information about measles in general, reporting criteria and requirements, lab testing…
Nerve Agent Information
Following the recent nerve agent poisonings in the United Kingdom, the emergency response community has requested information and advice to enhance preparedness. The US Department…
EMS Pre-Hospital Statewide Treatment Protocols 2018 v.2
These protocols are developed and approved by the Department of Public Health, based on the recommendations of Emergency Medical Care Advisory Board (EMCAB) and its…
EMS Infectious Disease Playbook
This document was created by subject matter experts working for the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). The aim was not to develop novel…
US HHS Guidance Regarding Hurricane Evacuees and CMS
A series of FAQs regarding Medicaid and SSI benefits for evacuees from Purto Rico and the US Virging Islands.
Emergency Preparedness Toolkit for Community Health Centers
This toolkit is intended to be used by leadership of community practice sites to (1) assess vulnerability, create an emergency preparedness plan, train staff to…
W MA COVID-19 Testing Sites
This information, sorted by western MA county, is accessed from the MA DPH website at: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing#where-can-i-get-a-test?-. From that site, you…
Cybersecurity is Everyone’s Job
This guidebook outlines what each member of an organization should do to protect it from cyber threats, based on the types of work performed by…
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security agency (CISA) Ransomware Guide
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Multi-State Information Sharing & Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) have released a joint Ransomware Guide that details practices…
Do No Harm 2.0
Chapter One—“Why Should We Care?”—gives a high-level overview describing the cybersecurity challenges and constraints facing the healthcare sector. Some of these challenges are unique to…
Healthcare Organization and Hospital Cybersecurity Discussion Guide
This guide is intended to help participants identify issues, strengths, and weaknesses associated with response capabilities, communication and information sharing for their healthcare organization or…
Post-Disaster Lessons Learned: Dialysis Patient Management
ASPR TRACIE staff compiled resources and references related to post- disaster dialysis operations in response to numerous requests for technical assistance. They have also attached…
Mass Casualty Trauma Triage: Paradigms and Pitfalls
The focus of this paper is to alert EMS medical directors and EMS systems planners and hospital emergency planners to key differences between “conventional” MCIs…
Nerve Agent Information
Following the recent nerve agent poisonings in the United Kingdom, the emergency response community has requested information and advice to enhance preparedness. The US Department…
EMS Pre-Hospital Statewide Treatment Protocols 2018 v.2
These protocols are developed and approved by the Department of Public Health, based on the recommendations of Emergency Medical Care Advisory Board (EMCAB) and its…
Promoting Innovation in Emergency Medical Services
The objective of this project was to engage a diverse group of stakeholders in a national dialogue about common challenges toward EMS innovation faced at…
EMS Infectious Disease Playbook
This document was created by subject matter experts working for the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). The aim was not to develop novel…
FEMA After-Action Report Resource Bundle
This bundle of AAR/IP tools and templates moves beyond the standard AAR/IP template, and includes tools for interviews and data capture, theme coding, action/improvement planning…
Be Prepared for the Unexpected – Public Health Pearls of Wisdom
This project aimed to preserve the institutional memory of former health department employees with over 250 years of combined experience. These video-driven trainings serve to…
Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Guide
Every community should understand the risks it faces. By understanding its risks, a community can make smart decisions about how to manage risk, including developing…
National Incident Management System 3rd Edition
This guide is designed to answer frequently asked questions regarding the release of information about patients following an incident. This guide does NOT replace the…
National Response Framework
The National Response Framework is a guide to how the Nation responds to all types of disasters and emergencies. This Framework describes specific authorities and…
Developing and Maintaining Emergency Operations Plans
This document provides Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidance on the fundamentals of planning and developing emergency operations plans (EOP). This guide integrates key concepts…
Emergency Dispensing Sites: A Guide for Planning for Medical Countermeasures Dispensing Operations
Each city and town should be covered by a written plan to dispense emergency MCM to its residents, workers, and visitors. This EDS Planning Guide,…
Updated Preparedness and Response Framework for Influenza Pandemics
The complexities of planning for and responding to the emergence of novel influenza viruses emphasize the need for systematic frameworks…
Stop the Bleed Training Kits
The Western MA HMCC now offers bleeding control training kits to western MA organizations to borrow, free of charge, when offering bleeding control trainings, provided…
CPR-compliant Manikins, AED Trainers and Related Supplies
Through the generosity of the Western Regional Homeland Security Training Council, Region 1 has received an allotment of CPR-compliant manikins, AED trainers and related supplies.…
WRHSAC Resource Guide
The Western Regional Homeland Security Advisory Council (WRHSAC) has purchased the following equipment and supplies for regional use in the four counties - Berkshire, Franklin,…
FEMA After-Action Report Resource Bundle
This bundle of AAR/IP tools and templates moves beyond the standard AAR/IP template, and includes tools for interviews and data capture, theme coding, action/improvement planning…
Pediatric Preparedness Exercise Resource Kit
The purpose of this American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Pediatric and Public Health Preparedness Exercise Resource Kit is to provide the tools and templates to…
Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) Quick Reference Guide
Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) Quick Reference Guide
HSEEP-Compliant After Action Report and Improvement Plan Template
A Word document of the HSEEP After Action Report and Improvement Plan Template to be modified to fit your own exercise evalution.
HSEEP-Compliant Exercise Concept and Objectives Presentation
A slideshow format template to introduce and guide exercise planning team discussions.
HSEEP-Compliant Exercise Plan Template
A Word document of the HSEEP ExPlan Template to be modified to fit your own exercise plans.
Adult Care Emergency Preparedness Exercise Toolkit
This toolkit has been developed specifically for adult care providers so they can quickly and efficiently: Select an exercise type based on your facility’s needs…
Healthcare Organization and Hospital Cybersecurity Discussion Guide
This guide is intended to help participants identify issues, strengths, and weaknesses associated with response capabilities, communication and information sharing for their healthcare organization or…
Pediatric Preparedness Exercise Resource Kit
The purpose of this American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Pediatric and Public Health Preparedness Exercise Resource Kit is to provide the tools and templates to…
Public Health Planning Toolkit for At-Risk Individuals with Access and Functional Needs
A compilation of resources to assist in public health preparedness planning for individuals with access and functional needs.
Planning Considerations for Electricity-Dependent Durable Medical Equipment Users
This ASPR TRACIE fact sheet provides information on general durable medical equipment (DME) categories and focuses on electricity-dependent DME that may be affected by disasters…
Emergency Managers Toolkit – Meeting the Needs of the Latino Community
This Tool Kit is and effort to develop and disseminate practical and simple tools that will assist emergency managers to improve their responsiveness to Latinos…
Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Guide
Every community should understand the risks it faces. By understanding its risks, a community can make smart decisions about how to manage risk, including developing…
Region 1 2018 Jurisdictional Risk Assessment Report
This is the final report from a risk assessment process sponsored by the MA DPH Office of Preparedness and Emergency Management. This risk assessment report…
Pediatric Preparedness Exercise Resource Kit
The purpose of this American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Pediatric and Public Health Preparedness Exercise Resource Kit is to provide the tools and templates to…
Public Health Planning Toolkit for At-Risk Individuals with Access and Functional Needs
A compilation of resources to assist in public health preparedness planning for individuals with access and functional needs.
Measles Chapter – MA DPH Guide to Surveillance, Reporting, and Control
This chapter from the MA DPH guide to disease surveillance, reporting, and control contains information about measles in general, reporting criteria and requirements, lab testing…
Emergency Disclosures and HIPAA
A flowchart to asisst protected health information sources gauge what they can disclose for public health preparedness/response purposes.
Memo and Flowchart for NIMS Compliance
Technically formal guidance from MA DPH based on their interpretation of federal law for hospital staff, this flowchart provides informal guidance to help all preparedness…
Healthcare Organization and Hospital Cybersecurity Discussion Guide
This guide is intended to help participants identify issues, strengths, and weaknesses associated with response capabilities, communication and information sharing for their healthcare organization or…
Healthcare Coop and Recovery Planning – Concepts Principles Templates and Resources
This document is a collection of resources, ideas, templates, references and hyperlinks to additional information relating to Healthcare Continuity of Operations (COOP) and Healthcare Disaster…
Healthcare Preparedness and Response Capablities 2017-2022
This document outlines the high-level objectives that the nation’s health care delivery system, including individual health care organizations, should undertake to prepare for, respond to,…
Long-Term Care Home Health and Hospice Planning guide for Public Health Emergencies
Long-Term Care Home Health and Hospice Planning guide for Public Health Emergencies
Homecare and Hospice Topic Collection
The resources in this Topic Collection include reports, toolkits, and guidance specific to homecare for providers and patients.
Emergency Preparedness Packet for Home Health Agencies
The materials in this packet, developed by the National Association for Home Care & Hospice Emergency Preparedness Workgroup, consist of templates of tools to assist…
Mass Casualty Trauma Triage: Paradigms and Pitfalls
The focus of this paper is to alert EMS medical directors and EMS systems planners and hospital emergency planners to key differences between “conventional” MCIs…
Nerve Agent Information
Following the recent nerve agent poisonings in the United Kingdom, the emergency response community has requested information and advice to enhance preparedness. The US Department…
Healthcare Organization and Hospital Cybersecurity Discussion Guide
This guide is intended to help participants identify issues, strengths, and weaknesses associated with response capabilities, communication and information sharing for their healthcare organization or…
FEMA After-Action Report Resource Bundle
This bundle of AAR/IP tools and templates moves beyond the standard AAR/IP template, and includes tools for interviews and data capture, theme coding, action/improvement planning…
Memo and Flowchart for NIMS Compliance
Technically formal guidance from MA DPH based on their interpretation of federal law for hospital staff, this flowchart provides informal guidance to help all preparedness…
Nursing Home Incident Command System Guidebook with Planning and Response Toolkit
In partnership with the California Association of Health Facilities (CAHF), the California Department of Public Health directed federal grant-funded resources to revise the Nursing Home…
Long-Term Care Home Health and Hospice Planning guide for Public Health Emergencies
Long-Term Care Home Health and Hospice Planning guide for Public Health Emergencies
Nursing Home Incident Command System Guidebook with Planning and Response Toolkit
In partnership with the California Association of Health Facilities (CAHF), the California Department of Public Health directed federal grant-funded resources to revise the Nursing Home…
Measles Chapter – MA DPH Guide to Surveillance, Reporting, and Control
This chapter from the MA DPH guide to disease surveillance, reporting, and control contains information about measles in general, reporting…
Psychological First Aid – Field Operations Guide 2nd edition
Psychological First Aid is an evidence-informedapproach to help children, adolescents, adults, and families in the immediate aftermath of disaster. Psychological First Aid is designed to…
FEMA After-Action Report Resource Bundle
This bundle of AAR/IP tools and templates moves beyond the standard AAR/IP template, and includes tools for interviews and data capture, theme coding, action/improvement planning…
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security agency (CISA) Ransomware Guide
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Multi-State Information Sharing & Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) have released a joint Ransomware Guide that details practices…
Pediatric Preparedness Exercise Resource Kit
The purpose of this American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Pediatric and Public Health Preparedness Exercise Resource Kit is to provide the tools and templates to…
Public Health Planning Toolkit for At-Risk Individuals with Access and Functional Needs
A compilation of resources to assist in public health preparedness planning for individuals with access and functional needs.
2018 Public Health Emergency Preparedness Capabilities – National Standards for State and Local Planning
These are the national standards for public health preparedness capability-based planning and will assist planners in identifying gaps in preparedness, determining the specific jurisdictional priorities,…
Planning Considerations for Electricity-Dependent Durable Medical Equipment Users
This ASPR TRACIE fact sheet provides information on general durable medical equipment (DME) categories and focuses on electricity-dependent DME that may be affected by disasters…
Planning Considerations: Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attacks
Complex coordinated terrorist attacks represent an evolving and dynamic terrorist threat with the potential for mass casualties and instrastructure damage anywhere and at any time.…
Emergency Dispensing Sites: A Guide for Planning for Medical Countermeasures Dispensing Operations
Each city and town should be covered by a written plan to dispense emergency MCM to its residents, workers, and visitors. This EDS Planning Guide,…
W MA Spontaneous Volunteer Management Plan
Authored by the W MA Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) in 2013, the Spontaneous Volunteer Management Plan provides guidance for safe, efficient and scalable volunteer management.…
Long-Term Care Home Health and Hospice Planning guide for Public Health Emergencies
Long-Term Care Home Health and Hospice Planning guide for Public Health Emergencies
Adult Care Emergency Preparedness Exercise Toolkit
This toolkit has been developed specifically for adult care providers so they can quickly and efficiently: Select an exercise type based on your facility’s needs…
Emergency Preparedness Toolkit for Community Health Centers
This toolkit is intended to be used by leadership of community practice sites to (1) assess vulnerability, create an emergency preparedness plan, train staff to…
Emergency Managers Toolkit – Meeting the Needs of the Latino Community
This Tool Kit is and effort to develop and disseminate practical and simple tools that will assist emergency managers to improve their responsiveness to Latinos…
Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Guide
Every community should understand the risks it faces. By understanding its risks, a community can make smart decisions about how to manage risk, including developing…
Nursing Home Incident Command System Guidebook with Planning and Response Toolkit
In partnership with the California Association of Health Facilities (CAHF), the California Department of Public Health directed federal grant-funded resources to revise the Nursing Home…
Preparing for Public Health Emergencies – A Planning Aid for Public Health and Healthcare Professionals
A compendium of descriptions of the possible consequences of disasters that would be useful for officials in public health, healthcare, and emergency management. This guide…
Healthcare Preparedness and Response Capablities 2017-2022
This document outlines the high-level objectives that the nation’s health care delivery system, including individual health care organizations, should undertake to prepare for, respond to,…
Measles Chapter – MA DPH Guide to Surveillance, Reporting, and Control
This chapter from the MA DPH guide to disease surveillance, reporting, and control contains information about measles in general, reporting criteria and requirements, lab testing…
Emergency Dispensing Sites: A Guide for Planning for Medical Countermeasures Dispensing Operations
Each city and town should be covered by a written plan to dispense emergency MCM to its residents, workers, and visitors. This EDS Planning Guide,…
Memo and Flowchart for NIMS Compliance
Technically formal guidance from MA DPH based on their interpretation of federal law for hospital staff, this flowchart provides informal guidance to help all preparedness…
EMS Pre-Hospital Statewide Treatment Protocols 2018 v.2
These protocols are developed and approved by the Department of Public Health, based on the recommendations of Emergency Medical Care Advisory Board (EMCAB) and its…
HIPAA Emergency Fact Sheet
This guide is designed to answer frequently asked questions regarding the release of information about patients following an incident. This guide does NOT replace the…
National Health Security Strategy and Implementation Plan 2015-18
The NHSS 2015–2018 seeks to inform policies and programs; encourage coordinated planning and activities; and guide prioritization of investments of time, talents, funds, and other…
Pediatric Preparedness Exercise Resource Kit
The purpose of this American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Pediatric and Public Health Preparedness Exercise Resource Kit is to provide the tools and templates to…
Public Health Planning Toolkit for At-Risk Individuals with Access and Functional Needs
A compilation of resources to assist in public health preparedness planning for individuals with access and functional needs.
Measles Chapter – MA DPH Guide to Surveillance, Reporting, and Control
This chapter from the MA DPH guide to disease surveillance, reporting, and control contains information about measles in general, reporting criteria and requirements, lab testing…
2018 Public Health Emergency Preparedness Capabilities – National Standards for State and Local Planning
These are the national standards for public health preparedness capability-based planning and will assist planners in identifying gaps in preparedness, determining the specific jurisdictional priorities,…
Emergency Dispensing Sites: A Guide for Planning for Medical Countermeasures Dispensing Operations
Each city and town should be covered by a written plan to dispense emergency MCM to its residents, workers, and visitors. This EDS Planning Guide,…
Be Prepared for the Unexpected – Public Health Pearls of Wisdom
This project aimed to preserve the institutional memory of former health department employees with over 250 years of combined experience. These video-driven trainings serve to…
Preparing for Public Health Emergencies – A Planning Aid for Public Health and Healthcare Professionals
A compendium of descriptions of the possible consequences of disasters that would be useful for officials in public health, healthcare, and emergency management. This guide…
Healthcare Coop and Recovery Planning – Concepts Principles Templates and Resources
This document is a collection of resources, ideas, templates, references and hyperlinks to additional information relating to Healthcare Continuity of Operations (COOP) and Healthcare Disaster…
Do No Harm 2.0
Chapter One—“Why Should We Care?”—gives a high-level overview describing the cybersecurity challenges and constraints facing the healthcare sector. Some of…
FEMA Independent Study Catalog
The full FEMA catalog of courses available via independent study.
W MA Medical Reserve Corps
The Medical Reserve Corps is a community-based, civilian volunteer program that helps build the public health infrastructure of communities nationwide. Each MRC unit is organized…
W MA Spontaneous Volunteer Management Plan
Authored by the W MA Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) in 2013, the Spontaneous Volunteer Management Plan provides guidance for safe, efficient and scalable volunteer management.…
W MA HMCC Member Discussion Forums Guidebook
This guide is designed to assist HMCC members in getting setup to participate in member discussion forums by providing an…