A Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) facilitates the performance of a health department's functions during a public health emergency or other situation which may interrupt normal services.

This tip sheet guides local health departments through the second phase of COOP planning, the process of identifying critical functions and services.

This introductory training for the Incident Management Team develops participants' knowledge and skill in managing mass prophylaxis operations. The training draws on participant experience and expertise, and encourages participants to identify their learning needs. The training is suitable for senior managers or supervisors with limited time.

Inclusive Just-in-Time Training (I-JITT) for Mass Prophylaxis/POD Operations is a comprehensive and systematic toolkit designed to support individuals leading and responding to a public health emergency. Its approach to training is aligned with best practice from the field of adult learning theory.

The toolkit consists of five components: Implementation Instructions for the Preparedness Planner, an Operational Briefing Checklist for the Mass Prophylaxis/POD Supervisor, a Field Training Guide for Team Leaders (complete with Job Action Sheets), a “Go-Guide” job aide for surge responders to utilize during an incident, and a short evaluation form to evaluate the I-JITT approach.

Inclusive Just-in-Time Training (I-JITT) for Public Health Investigations is a comprehensive and systematic toolkit designed to support individuals leading and responding to a public health emergency. Its approach to training is aligned with best practice from the field of adult learning theory.

The toolkit consists of five components: Implementation Instructions for the Preparedness Planner, an Operational Briefing Checklist for the Epidemiology/Surveillance Group Supervisor, a Field Training Guide for Team Leaders (complete with Job Action Sheets), a “Go-Guide” job aide for surge responders to utilize during an incident, and a short evaluation form to evaluate the I-JITT approach.

Intended for use by local health departments (LHDs) as part of a multi-sector effort to coordinate planning for and response to a pandemic influenza outbreak, the 60-page guide offers the following: An overview of key issues that should be considered for inclusion in a local jurisdiction's pandemic influenza plan. An examination within each issue area of questions that should be asked, ideas on where to find information that may be needed, and partners that could be consulted to address those topics within the plan. Examples of ways in which other jurisdictions have addressed the topics described in the guide. Links to information that can be used to further investigate the topics or resources that can be used to customize tools for individual jurisdictions. At the core of this guide are plans developed by departments that host two of NACCHO's Advanced Practice Centera, cutting-edge learning laboratories that develop and test tools that help other LHDs tackle all-hazards preparedness. Santa Clara County, California and Seattle-King County, Washington, have both produced notably comprehensive, but very different, plans addressing pandemic influenza that serve as the foundation of this document's findings.

POD 1: The Mechanics of a POD; POD 2: Facilitating Clients Through a POD. This training is designed to develop knowledge and skills by drawing upon participant experience and expertise. This approach is well suited for an audience of local public health and MRC volunteers who are leaders either within their departments or in their communities.

The customizable Pandemic Flu Pocket Guide outlines what the public should know about pan flu. This easy-to-carry guide folds to wallet size. It describes the distinctions between seasonal flu and pandemic flu; provides information on what to expect during a pandemic event; and explains how to control the spread of disease. It can be customized with local emergency broadcast information local emergency resource listings and personal contact numbers. It is also available in most languages that can be customized to your area. This tool was developed by Santa Clara County Public Health Department with the assistance of Worldways Social Marketing. A Web sample of the Santa Clara County Pocket Guide is available here. To create a Pocket Guide customized for your area, contact Worldways Social Marketing at 303.779.3004 ext. 3517.

This tool guides an experienced Local Health Department (LHD) administrator or Incident Commander (IC) through decision-making processes to allocate staff between two major types of public health operations both in advance of, and during, a public health emergency. Disease investigation (surveillance, investigation, contact tracing, and case management) due to a naturally occurring disease, food-borne outbreak, or bioterrorist event Mass prophylaxis (using medicines or vaccines to mitigate disease) While the tool applies to any incident calling for both disease investigation and prophylaxis operations, it is aimed at larger scale emergency operations requiring rapid decision-making to obtain and allocate surge staff resources—decisions that may have to be justified to and approved by authorities within, or outside of, the LHD. This tool is comprised of three distinct worksheets: Decision points in a flow diagram representing various points in disease investigation and mass prophylaxis operations Response questions for decision-makers to consider when collecting information to make decisions Staffing needs based on plans, the scenario, and specific decisions Although intended for disease investigation and mass prophylaxis operations, this tool operates within a greater public health context that may involve other interventions (e.g., isolation & quarantine, social distancing, and risk communication). This tool organizes complex information into simpler categories that will help determine resource needs based on the local situation, operational objectives, plans, and partnerships. For example: Tested plans that will achieve operational objectives. Risk communication plans to make the public an informed partner able to adhere to public health recommendations or requirements. Partner organizations that provide staffing resources to LHD operations, or that independently conduct operations. The tool includes a example emergency scenario to illustrate the proper use of the tool and a related public health decision-making pathway.