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Emergency and Disaster Resources

This guide serves as an online collection of resources and tools that are relevant to disaster and emergency management. If you would like to learn more about emergency preparedness resources, or explore training opportunities that are available through NNLM, find and contact your region for more information!

MedlinePlus is the National Library of Medicine’s website for patients and their families and friends with information about diseases, conditions and wellness in plain language. MedlinePlus offers reliable, up-to-date health information, anytime, anywhere, for free.

Ready.gov (Listo en español)
Resources for developing a preparedness plan, including publications, checklists, videos, and tool kits for community outreach.

Ready in Your Language (Ready.gov)
Ready also offers some content in additional languages such as Arabic, French, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Tagalog, Vietnamese and Simplified Chinese.

State and Federal Resources

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness & Response (ASPR)

National Weather Service - Weather Prediction Center

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-Emergency Preparedness

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

FEMA Helpline: 1-800-621-3362

Write to FEMA:

FEMA
P.O. Box 10055
Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

FEMA is comprised of 10 regions in the continental U.S. and territories. Each region has a regional office that work directly with states, territories, and tribes. Please note the regional and state designation under FEMA is different from the regional/state designation under the Network of the National Library of Medicine.

FEMA Region 1

FEMA Region 2

FEMA Region 3

FEMA Region 4

FEMA Region 5

FEMA Region 6

FEMA Region 7

FEMA Region 8

FEMA Region 9 

FEMA Region 10

Preparedness, Response and Recovery

Planning, training and education

MedlinePlus (NLM)
For patients and their families and friends with information about diseases, conditions and wellness in plain language. 

Pet Safety in Emergencies (CDC)

Vulnerable Populations

Resources for “at-risk populations” whose needs are not fully addressed by traditional service providers or who feel they cannot comfortably or safely use the standard resources offered during preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.

Printable Guides

Immediately after an emergency when normal life has been interrupted

Community and State Information (Ready.gov)

Volunteer

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) (FEMA)

Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) (ASPR)

Disaster Preparedness Volunteer (Red Cross)

Disaster Action Team (Red Cross)

Stay up-to-date

Conditions and information change quickly during an emergency.

Extreme Heat Resources

Extreme heat refers to prolonged periods of high temperatures and humidity, typically with temperatures exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit for at least two to three consecutive days (Ready.gov, 2026, “Extreme Heat”). This section offers a collection of resources for practitioners, the general public, libraries, and other stakeholders to help improve preparedness and response to extreme heat events. Resources are organized into categories including preparedness, response, materials for professionals and planners, and printable guides.

This guide is a product of the Emergency Response and Preparedness Advisory Committee, developed through the Network of the National Library of Medicine, Region 2 office. We acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of all Region 2 members who have submitted resources for inclusion.

  • National Weather Service (NWS) Heat Safety One-Pager: this fact sheet presents information about heat safety measures, including what to do during a heat wave, and differentiation between a heat watch versus a heat warning. It includes the heat risk index table, and the signs of heat-related illnesses.   
  • Extreme Heat Printout.pdf (1.2 MB)

    : this fact sheet includes information and terminology about extreme heat, including actions you can take before, during, and after the heat event.

  • MedlinePlus - Heat Emergencies: this website page is the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia record for heat emergencies. It includes information on the causes, symptoms, first aid, how to contact a medical professional, and prevention. 
  • MedlinePlus - Heat Illness: this website page is the MedlinePlus Health Topics record for heat illnesses. It includes information on symptoms, prevention, and risk factors; and it also includes treatments and therapies. You can explore further research on the topic and links to other resources related to the age demographic you are trying to reach. 
  • Gwinnett County - Beating the Summer Heat: this webpage is for the Beating the Summer Heat campaign from Gwinnett County, Georgia. It includes useful tips for staying safe during the summer heat, and information on heat related emergencies signs and symptoms. 
  • Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Protect Yourself and Others from Dangers of Extreme Heat: this webpage is meant to provide information on steps to protect yourself and others, infographics and fact sheets, and social media graphics for extreme heat. You can also find related resources and guidance for social media campaigns. 
  • World Health Organization (WHO) - Heat and Health Fact Sheet: this webpage presents a fact sheet on key facts related to extreme heat, including who is affected, how it impacts health, and actions the public can take. There is also information on how WHO as an organization responds to extreme heat. 
  • National Weather Service (NWS) - Heat Cramps, Exhaustion, and Stroke: this webpage provides relevant safety information on heat related illnesses, including heat cramps, exhaustion, and stroke. You can find more information on symptoms and applicable first aid for the various heat related illnesses. 
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - About Heat and Your Health: this webpage from the CDC provides information on staying cool, hydrated, and knowing the symptoms of extreme heat. It includes resources for those that are at higher risk of suffering from heat related illnesses. 

The Emergency Response and Preparedness Advisory Committee is supported by the Network of the National Library of Medicine Region 2 office of the National Institutes of Health under award number UG4LM013736. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Training Opportunities

NNLM Recordings from Past Disaster Forums

last updated: 06/15/26 12:10