S3: Science Safety Security
Disaster Behavioral Health
Behavioral health describes the continuum of one's emotional, cognitive, and relational wellbeing and is a key factor in the ways that people act. Following a disaster or emergency event, it is common for individuals and families, as well as disaster responders, to experience distress and anxiety related to safety, health, well-being and recovery. Behavioral health is an integral part of the public health and medical emergency management system, and should be fully integrated into preparedness, response, and recovery activities.
National Disaster Medical System
The devastation of natural and man-made disasters brings an urgent need for health and medical care. Hurricanes, earthquakes, pandemic disease, major transportation accidents, and terrorist attacks can overwhelm state, local, tribal or territorial resources.
That's when the Office of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) is called to action. At a state's request, NDMS provides personnel, equipment, supplies, and a system of partner hospitals that work together with state and local personnel to provide care when Americans need it most.
Federal Experts Security Advisory Panel
Federal Experts Security Advisory Panel
The Federal Experts Security Advisory Panel (FESAP) was established by Executive Order 13546 on July 2, 2010 to provide recommendations related to the security of biological select agents and toxins (BSAT) to the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Agriculture and the Attorney General. BSAT are defined in the Select Agent Regulations (42 CFR Part 73, 9 CFR Part 121, and 7 CFR Part 331). The FESAP successfully completed the tasks enumerated by Executive Order 13546 and released the FESAP: Recommendations Concerning the Select Agent Program report detailing the recommendations on November 2, 2010. In July 2014, the FESAP was re-chartered to evaluate approaches to enhance biosafety and biosecurity in the United States.
Recent incidents involving BSAT have raised serious safety and security policy issues. The White House National Security Council (NSC) staff tasked the FESAP, in September 2014, to 1) identify needs and gaps and make recommendations to optimize biosafety, biosecurity, oversight, and inventory management and control for BSAT; 2) identify actions and any regulatory changes to improve biosafety and biosecurity; and 3) identify an approach to determine the appropriate number of high-containment U.S. laboratories required to possess, use, or transfer BSAT. The NSC requested that the FESAP provide recommended actions to the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, and the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology within 90 days of receiving the tasking. Recommendations were finalized in the Report of the Federal Experts Security Advisory Panel dated December 2014. The USG has developed a plan to implement the FESAP's recommended actions. The USG expects that implementing the recommended actions will strengthen biosafety and biosecurity practices and oversight activities.
Center for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority
Center for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority
The Center for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) provides an integrated, systematic approach to the development of the necessary vaccines, drugs, therapies, and diagnostic tools for public health medical emergencies such as chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) accidents, incidents and attacks; pandemic influenza (PI), and emerging infectious diseases (EID).
Together with its industry partners, BARDA promotes the advanced development of medical countermeasures to protect Americans and respond to 21st century health security threats.
Center for Preparedness
Center for Preparedness
The ASPR Center for Preparedness is responsible for all aspects of preparation for events such as disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and intentional attacks with chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) weapons. This work is closely coordinated with the ASPR Center for Response, as well as other related components within HHS, such as CDC's Office of Readiness and Response, other US Government departments and agencies, and international allies and partners.
The Center for Preparedness includes the following component offices: Security, Vetting, and Protection; Data, Analytics, and Information Advantage; Critical Infrastructure Protection; Health Care Readiness; Medical Reserve Corps; Planning and Exercises; Continuity; and the Secretary's Operations Center.
Healthcare Readiness in Action
ASPR's Health Care Readiness Programs are having real-world impacts in communities, helping health care systems prepare for, respond to, and recover from a wide range of disasters and emergencies.
ASPR's Health Care Readiness Programs, including the Hospital Preparedness Program, the National Special Pathogen System, and the Regional Disaster Health Response System, help health care systems take a more informed, collaborative, and comprehensive approach to disaster response.
ASPR’s Past Responses to Emergencies, Disasters, and Other Special Events
ASPR has responded to and supported the residents on the ground during many different types of disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, pandemic disease, major transportation accidents, and more. In addition, ASPR supports National Special Security Events. The Medical Reserve Corps and the National Disaster Medical System, are just two of the many groups within ASPR that are committed to helping those in need when disaster strikes.
Legal Authorities, Policies, and Strategies
HHS relies on a variety of legal authorities and policies to promote a rapid, coordinated, and effective response to public health emergencies. Find out about legal authorities, policies, and guidance that can contribute to effective planning and response to public health emergencies.