Planning for an Emergency: Strategies for Identifying and Engaging At-Risk Groups: A Guidance Document for Emergency Managers

For Public Health

About

This guide helps emergency managers prepare for, mitigate, respond to, assist in recovery from, and provide products and services for emergencies that concern a community's environmental health.

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Resource information

Resource: Planning for an Emergency: Strategies for Identifying and Engaging At-Risk Groups: A Guidance Document for Emergency Managers

Developed by

CDC's Environmental Health Studies

Target audiences

  • Physicians
  • Public health professionals
  • Emergency managers
  • Mental health professionals
  • Environmental professionals
  • Local government

Target situation

This manual is used by public health professionals preparing to provide environmental emergency assistance. It focuses on targeting and communicating with at-risk groups.

This manual:

  • Can be used in conjunction with the CDC Social Vulnerability Index.
  • Has a special focus on targeting and communicating with at-risk groups.
  • Defines at-risk communities and offers ways to find and communicate with these groups using the CDC Social Vulnerability Index.

Main objectives

Secondary objectives

  • Communicate Risk
  • Community Preparation
  • Community Engagement
  • Informal Outreach Mechanisms

Resource type

Manual or guide

Publication year

2015

Print
Content Source
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
About This Page
Published: May 6, 2026
Updated: August 16, 2024

This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.

Reviewed: September 11, 2026

The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.