title: Assessing Emergency Preparedness and Response Capacity Using Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response Methodology: Portsmouth, Virginia, 2013.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  For the past decade, emergency preparedness campaigns have encouraged households to meet preparedness metrics, such as having a household evacuation plan and emergency supplies of food, water, and medication. To estimate current household preparedness levels and to enhance disaster response planning, the Virginia Department of Health with remote technical assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a community health assessment in 2013 in Portsmouth, Virginia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) methodology with 2-stage cluster sampling, we randomly selected 210 households for in-person interviews. Households were questioned about emergency planning and supplies, information sources during emergencies, and chronic health conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Interview teams completed 180 interviews (86%). Interviews revealed that 70% of households had an emergency evacuation plan, 67% had a 3-day supply of water for each member, and 77% had a first aid kit. Most households (65%) reported that the television was the primary source of information during an emergency. Heart disease (54%) and obesity (40%) were the most frequently reported chronic conditions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Virginia Department of Health identified important gaps in local household preparedness. Data from the assessment have been used to inform community health partners, enhance disaster response planning, set community health priorities, and influence Portsmouth's Community Health Improvement Plan.
authors.affiliation: 1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, assigned to Virginia Department of Health,Office of Epidemiology,Division of Surveillance and Investigation,Richmond,Virginia.
authors.forename: Katie M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kurkjian
authors.affiliation: 2Virginia Department of Health,Portsmouth Health District,Portsmouth,Virginia.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Winz
authors.affiliation: 3Virginia Department of Health,Office of Epidemiology,Division of Surveillance and Investigation,Richmond,Virginia.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: 3Virginia Department of Health,Office of Epidemiology,Division of Surveillance and Investigation,Richmond,Virginia.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Corvese
authors.affiliation: 4Virginia Department of Health,Office of Epidemiology,Division of Surveillance and Investigation,Norfolk,Virginia.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colón
authors.affiliation: 3Virginia Department of Health,Office of Epidemiology,Division of Surveillance and Investigation,Richmond,Virginia.
authors.forename: Seth J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.affiliation: 2Virginia Department of Health,Portsmouth Health District,Portsmouth,Virginia.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mullen
authors.affiliation: 2Virginia Department of Health,Portsmouth Health District,Portsmouth,Virginia.
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ruth
authors.affiliation: 5Virginia Department of Health,Office of Family Health Services,Richmond,Virginia.
authors.forename: Rexford
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Anson-Dwamena
authors.affiliation: 6Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,National Center for Environmental Health, Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects,Health Studies Branch,Atlanta,Georgia.
authors.forename: Tesfaye
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bayleyegn
authors.affiliation: 2Virginia Department of Health,Portsmouth Health District,Portsmouth,Virginia.
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005502:Food / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011634:Public Health / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D014768:Virginia; D014867:Water / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D014867:Water
keywords: disaster planning; emergency preparedness; needs assessment