About Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response for Tribal Governments (PHEPR)

ATSDR Focuses on Exposure to Contaminants
The image depicts two ATSDR staffers conducting a site evaluation of sheep dip vats on the Hopi Indian Reservation in Arizona. ATSDR assisted in developing screening levels, reviewed results of soil and groundwater samples, and provided a public health opinion regarding exposures to their reported contaminants. – Source: Larry Cseh, RS, MSA (CAPT, USPHS), ATSDR, Emergency Response Coordinator CDC / CDC Connects

Emergency preparedness and response refers to the activities that occur before, during, and after natural or man-made disasters or emergencies to ensure public safety. Preparing for an emergency before it happens ensures that plans are in place, equipment is available and ready to use, and personnel are properly trained. The public’s safety and well-being depends on planning and response to help minimize the effects of disasters and emergencies.

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribes are sovereign nations with the authority and responsibility to maintain the safety and well-being of their citizens. Planning for, responding to, and recovery from manmade or natural disasters and emergencies in Tribal communities can pose unique challenges. The challenges are in part due to lack of resources, complexity around jurisdiction as well as lack of understanding among partners working with Tribes. As a result preparedness and response efforts may differ from efforts outside of Indian Country.

Through the Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (PHEPR) initiative, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) will support capacity building of Tribal Governments to ensure effective and efficient emergency preparedness planning and response. As part of this work, NIHB will be:

• sharing information, tools and resources with Tribal Governments across Indian Country to improve identification of best practices;
• supporting the implementation of evidence-based programs and services;
• supporting enhanced surveillance and data sharing between Tribes and states; and;
• supporting engagement and partnerships between stakeholders to improve capacity of Tribal governments to prepare, respond, and recover from public health emergencies.

¹ Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013, Pub. L. No. 113-2, §§1101-1111, 127 Stat. 4, 39, 48 (codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. §§ 5170(b)(1), 5191(c)(1) (2013)).