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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Emergency Preparedness and Response Toolkit

Welcome to the Rural Emergency Preparedness and Response Toolkit. The toolkit compiles evidence-based and promising models and resources to support organizations implementing emergency planning, response, and recovery efforts in rural communities across the United States.

This toolkit supplements and expands on previous work in this area, including our Rural Emergency Preparedness and Response topic guide. There are more resources on general community health strategies available in the Rural Community Health Toolkit.

Module 1: Introduction to Rural Emergency Preparedness and Response
Overview of emergency preparedness and response in rural communities in the U.S. and unique considerations that rural communities face.

Module 2: Rural Community Planning, Response, and Recovery
Frameworks, information, and approaches rural communities can use to guide programs for emergency planning, response, and recovery.

Module 3: Cross-Cutting Issues for Rural Emergency Preparedness and Response
Important issues to consider and address related to emergency planning, response, and recovery in rural communities.

Module 4: Types of Public Health Emergencies and Disasters
Overview of the types of public health emergencies and disasters that can affect rural communities.

Module 5: Post-Emergency Assessment and Sharing of Lessons Learned
Information and tools that can help assess the impact of an emergency in rural communities.

Module 6: Funding, Resources, and Support for Rural Emergency Preparedness and Response
Resources to help with planning for rural emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.

Case Studies
Case studies from rural communities and organizations describing their experiences related to emergency preparedness and response.