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Session Title: Evaluating Emergency Preparedness
Multipaper Session 634 to be held in Sebastian Section L2 on Friday, Nov 13, 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Sponsored by the Disaster and Emergency Management Evaluation TIG
Chair(s):
Liesel Ritchie,  University of Colorado at Boulder, liesel.ritchie@colorado.edu
Multiple-perspective Self-report Surveying: A Simple Technique for Improving Accuracy in Self-report Based Emergency Preparedness Competency Assessment
Presenter(s):
Lisle Hites, University of Arizona, lhites@email.arizona.edu
Jessica Wakelee, University of Arizona, wakeleej@email.arizona.edu
Abstract: With the exception of Homeland Security's Exercise Evaluation Program, the primary tool utilized for assessing Public Health Emergency Preparedness is self-report surveys. This session will begin by discussing the weaknesses inherent in self-report surveying, followed by a discussion of alternatives to self-report surveying. Keeping the previously mentioned limitations in mind, the session will continue with a discussion of improving self-report measurement of Emergency Preparedness and will present an approach that integrates components of 360 degree feedback to help improve accuracy of self-report surveys. Following the discussion of this approach, results will be presented from an application of this methodology for a Project Public Health Ready needs assessment.
Getting to Outcomes for Emergency Preparedness: A Journey
Presenter(s):
Karen Pendleton, University of South Carolina, ktpendl@mailbox.sc.edu
Victoria Chien, University of South Carolina, victoria.chien@gmail.com
Duncan Meyers, University of South Carolina, meyersd@mailbox.sc.edu
Abstract: Federal agencies have developed National Preparedness Guidelines for emergency preparedness which are primarily a blend of military and business planning models. Because emergencies occur at the local level, it is important that the national guidance be translated into an organized, practitioner-friendly guide. Getting To Outcomes for Emergency Preparedness (GTO-EP) - a guide which translates these Federal guidelines for local public health and other stakeholders - has been created for use within the context of team-based preparedness trainings facilitated by the University of South Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness. GTO-EP has been continuously revised and refined over three generations of team-based trainings, and the current version is being utilized for preparedness in a diverse range of areas (e.g., mass fatality planning, environmental surveillance, hospital evacuation planning). Presenters will discuss: (1) the updated GTO-EP; (2) its role in the training; and (3) why GTO-EP is a vital tool for emergency preparedness planning.
Assessing Disaster Preparedness Among Community-Based Organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area
Presenter(s):
Liesel Ritchie, University of Colorado at Boulder, liesel.ritchie@colorado.edu
Brandi Gilbert, University of Colorado at Boulder, brandi.gilbert@colorado.edu
Abstract: This paper explores the Bay Area Preparedness Initiative (BayPrep) project, an evaluation of the disaster preparedness of 90 community- and faith-based organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area. The goal of the project was to evaluate readiness and response capabilities of organizations that serve the most vulnerable populations of the city, such as racial and ethnic minority groups, the elderly, people living in poverty, persons suffering from chronic illness, and people with disabilities. Despite the important roles that they fill in assisting vulnerable communities in the event of a disaster, there has been little evaluation focusing on such organizations. The evaluation involved development and administration of a disaster preparedness checklist, as well as structured face-to-face interviews. Findings from this study indicate that community-based organizations are under prepared for disasters and that the next major disaster will cause serious strains on the organizations, causing vulnerable populations to suffer greatly.

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