Emergency Preparedness

Partnership

Effective emergency response relies on relationships between partners within the public health laboratory community.  APHL works to expand relationships between laboratories and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Homeland Security, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, other federal and state agencies, and the broader science and health communities.

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Funding

In collaboration with CDC and other public health partners, APHL provides guidance to states on building a preparedness infrastructure. For more information on CDC’s PHEP funding, go to www.bt.cdc.gov Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Funding

Assessing Laboratory Preparedness for Bioterrorism

In conjunction with the College of American Pathologists and CDC, APHL designed a survey to evaluate US laboratory preparedness to handle agents of bioterrorism. see: www.cap.org and www.cdc.gov

Developing Target Capabilities

APHL worked with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop the Public Health Laboratory Capability for the DHS Target Capabilities List. The list details 37 capabilities needed to perform critical homeland security tasks. APHL continues to guide development and refinement of other capabilities. More information at www.dhs.gov  

Law Enforcement Linkages

APHL works closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Hazardous Materials and Response Unit, Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate and other FBI units to build partnerships at the local, state and federal level to ensure the integrity of forensic testing.