Emergency Response Collaboration

Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean. Effective work rarely progresses in isolation. Through diversity of thought, action, and expertise, ATSDR successfully collaborates with states, tribes, local organizations, areas, and territories to support a wide range of natural and man-made disaster emergency responses. In 2021, ATSDR supported more than 148 emergency preparedness and response activities. Those included responding to hurricanes Laura and Ida, assessing health effects from a chemical explosion fire at one of the largest lubricant manufacturing facilities in the United States, and developing novel ways to increase COVID-19 testing and vaccination. They also included partnering to identify challenges faced by state, tribal, local, and territorial (STLT) environmental and public health agencies when responding to concurrent disasters and identifying resources and conducting tabletop exercises to address these challenges.

Man with a blue shirt presents to a group of people while one person is standing up in the audience.

ATSDR Support to COVID-19, Natural Disasters, & Other Responses

Person’s hands with blue gloves prepare vaccination with a syringe and small bottle.

The Race Against COVID-19 at the Talladega Superspeedway

Water flooding into the street over cement and fence with dark clouds in the background.

Helping Health Departments Manage Concurrent Disasters

Three people standing and smiling together, two with orange vests on holding papers.

Responding to Chemical Emergencies: Rockton, IL, Case Study