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Emergency Response Resources

Emergencies come in all shapes and sizes and when you least expect them. Facility-specific readiness and response preparation, combined with linkages to larger response networks, can help keep emergencies from turning into full-blown crises.  

Questions?

Contact the Emergency Operations team: [email protected]

Active Response Resources

Active Emergency Response Resources

The following resources can be used in the event of an emergency.

Laboratory Exposure 

All-hazard Threats

Environmental Exposures 

Get Connected

Public Health Response Networks

During a public health response, well-prepared networks can make a world of difference. Networks can help centralize and standardize activities by providing: 

  • Crisis management practices 

  • Timely communications 

  • Sound science 

  • Data to inform response 

  • Public/private partnerships 

  • Shared expertise 

Below are networks or groups that can provide assistance, support and resources during an emergency: 

The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) is state law in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

What do public health laboratories need to know about EMAC and their responsibilities towards it? 

  • LRN for Biological Threats
    The Laboratory Response Network for Biological Threats (LRN-B) is organized as a tiered pyramid of sentinel clinical, reference and national laboratories. These laboratories are integrated into a single network for rapid detection and response to threats. In 2014, the reference tier was further categorized into reference, standard and advanced laboratories based on capabilities.
  • LRN for Chemical Threats
    The Laboratory Response Network for Chemical Threats (LRN-C) is the nation's laboratory emergency response system for chemical threats and other environmental public health emergencies. The LRN is a valuable resource for law enforcement and public health officials during public health emergencies.

Environmental Response Laboratory Network​​

The Environmental Protection Agency established the Environmental Response Laboratory Network in 2009 to address a need for a national network of laboratories with chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear analytical capabilities to support the emergency response community in mitigation of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear threats.

Water Laboratory Alliance Response Plan

The Water Laboratory Alliance is a nationwide network of laboratories designed to provide analytical support during contamination incidents that may exceed your laboratory capability and capacity.

APHL’s Role

Public Health Response Coordination

APHL supports our member laboratories as they respond to public health emergencies by providing leadership, advocacy and scientific guidance. During emergencies that threaten to overwhelm the capacity or capabilities of public health laboratories, APHL activates its Incident Command System to ensure a coordinated laboratory response.

APHL Emergency Operations Center

Email [email protected] to share or get information about an emergency.

Learn more about APHL’s past public health responses and our current capabilities.

Public Health Response and Coordination

Emergency Laboratory Contacts