What can Communities do to Prepare for Pandemic Flu?

Communities should continue to develop and implement existing emergency plans through groups such as Local Emergency Planning Councils, local Office of Emergency Services, local health departments, religious and community organizations. Community strategies that delay or reduce the impact of a pandemic (also called non-pharmaceutical interventions) may help reduce the spread of disease until a vaccine is available.

There are many individuals in West Virginia who will need assistance planning for and responding to disasters and emergencies. About 25% of the state's populations is disabled. Other groups who will need help include those who don't speak English at all or very well; those with cognitive disorders; the homeless; those living in group settings, such as nursing homes, correctional facilities and college dorms; tourists; children; and the elderly. Anyone in these groups should plan for themselves, to the degree that they are able, but communities can help them with this.

Faith-based and community organizations will play an integral role in the event of a pandemic. Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) have developed a checklist to assist community organizations with their pandemic planning. The Medical Reserve Corps has adapted HHS planning checklists to create guidelines for Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) units.

Checklist

• Faith-Based & Community Organizations Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Checklist (PDF - 68.91 KB) [En Español (PDF) (268KB)]
  Identifies specific actions for community organizations to prepare for a pandemic.

Guidelines

• Interim Public Health Guidance for the Use of Facemasks and Respirators in Non-Occupational Community Settings during an Influenza Pandemic (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
  Provides information on influenza transmission and gives recommendations on when to use masks and respirators in public settings and communities. Gives additional actions to reduce the possibility of infection.
• Community Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Mitigation (PDF - 10.3 MB)
  CDC guidelines on actions, designed primarily to reduce contact between people, that community government and health officials can take to try to limit the spread of infection should a pandemic flu develop. Appendix 8 contains information for faith-based and community organizations.
• Pandemic Flu Planning Guidance for MRC Units (Medical Reserve Corps)
  Provides guidance for Medical Reserve Corps Units to help their communities prepare for a pandemic.

Planning Guides

• Providing Mass Medical Care with Scarce Resources: A Community Planning Guide (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)
  For State, local, community, and facility planners, this guide discusses ethical and legal issues, and considerations regarding prehospital care, hospital/acute care, palliative care, and alternative care sites. Chapter 8 is a 29-page case study for a flu pandemic.