As faith-based and community organizations provide many important services to their local communities, it is crucial to plan how to continue essential operations, such as church services, meals, or meetings, while protecting the public's health and safety in the event of a flu pandemic. Plans should consider the impact of a pandemic on your organization's mission, staff, and members, including persons with special needs. Evaluate your usual activities and services to identify those that may require modification in order to limit the spread of pandemic flu, and consider focusing your efforts on providing the services most needed during the emergency in coordination with the state and other local organizations in your community.

Resources

Federal guidance on community planning:
www.flu.gov/planning-preparedness/community

The 9-1-1 Disability Indicator Program allows individuals with special needs to register so that 9-1-1 dispatchers will note the specific needs of the individual when they call 9-1-1 from their home telephone:
Disability Indicator Program or contact the Statewide Emergency Telecommunications Board at 508-828-2911 (TTY 508-828-4572).

Additional Resources and Volunteer Information

Please note:
If your agency provides direct care services under the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) please see EOHHS Service Providers for Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) requirements.

Contacts

Emergency Preparedness Regional Coordinators, Regional Hospital Coordinators, and Health Educators:
www.mass.gov/Eeohhs2/docs/dph/emergency_prep/regional_roles_contacts.pdf pdf format of Regional Roles and Contact Information rtf format of Regional Roles and Contact Information

Emergency Management Directorfor each town in the Commonwealth:
www.mass.gov/mema

This information is provided by the Department of Public Health.