A campaign to integrate community-based organizations (CBOs) and faith-based organizations (FBOs) into pandemic preparedness considers the ways in which these organizations have the ability to assist a large number and diversity of people. The campaign has two purposes: 1) to identify clients or members who are served by community organizations and may need special assistance during a pandemic; and 2) to assist organizations as they create emergency call-down procedures.
The campaign comprises four main materials: 1) A brochure on the role of community organizations during a pandemic; 2) A sample cover letter that provides education on pandemic influenza; 3) A brief special needs assessment to identify clients or congregational members who require assistance; and 4) A sample organizational call-down procedure for varying levels of responsibility. The materials may have significant applicability to the needs of CBOs or FBOs that have not yet engaged in a pandemic preparedness process. The brochure and the call-down procedure may assist with continuity of operations planning for community organizations, although they do not include specific information for faith establishments. The brochure also mentions the need for stockpiling, and a reviewer recommended that agencies should ensure that CBOs/FBOs are provided with specific timelines and supply lists advocated by the jurisdiction as suitable for a pandemic. The call-down procedure presents a practical and especially useful way to conduct a call-down drill within a CBO/FBO. The reviewer suggested that the job titles in the call-down list could be adapted to correspond with Incident Command System nomenclature if CBOs/FBOs had already been integrated into the emergency management process.
The sample cover letter is a useful tool that organizations can distribute and use to inform their members about personal preparedness and the differences between seasonal, avian, and pandemic influenza. One reviewer noted that the cover letter identifies influenza symptoms solely as fever, headache, and tiredness. The omission of key symptoms, such as dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches, may confuse readers. The cover letter also cites avian influenza statistics and potential estimates of how a future pandemic will affect U.S. citizens. A second reviewer noted that agencies should make sure that the statistics are current and accurate and ensure that information on possible effects of a pandemic will not provoke anxiety. The special needs assessment form is intended to identify the needs of organizational members, so that CBOs and FBOs can appropriately direct their resources during a response effort. Since the form collects personal information, health agencies and CBOs/FBOs may need to establish means by which to keep private information confidential and secure.
The outreach campaign is a simple and excellent way for community organizations to begin preparing for an influenza pandemic or other emergency. Although some information is relevant to pandemic preparedness, many of the tools are broadly applicable to various emergencies. One reviewer suggested that these materials could easily be incorporated into more comprehensive plans that are specifically designed to fit the needs and circumstances of the organization.
The materials were developed by a contractor with San Luis Obispo County, using information from Contra Costa County, California, and Seattle-King County, Washington. The information was then revised and adapted to fit the needs of San Luis Obispo County.
