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“CDC will always have needs that cannot be met quickly during an emergency situation. The Foundation and its private sector partners can help fill that gap and arm CDC with critical resources in times of crisis.” - Charles Stokes |
CDC is a key player in preparing the nation for large-scale public health emergencies — whether terrorist attacks, pandemic flu or natural disasters. CDC works with its partners at the national and local levels to develop and improve emergency preparedness plans that can be activated the moment disaster strikes. In addition, CDC experts are often among the first on the frontlines of a disaster, monitoring for potential disease outbreaks, assessing damage to health care infrastructures and providing medical care when needed. The CDC Foundation has a number of funds and programs designed to support CDC's emergency preparedness and response activities.
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Learn more about CDC's Marcus Emergency Operations Center. |
Meta-Leadership Summit for Preparedness
The CDC Foundation is working with CDC’s Coordinating Office of Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response (COTPER), the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative - Harvard School of Public Health, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to pilot and then institutionalize a series of learning and networking experiences for leaders called the Meta-Leadership Summit for Preparedness.
The objective of the program is to develop a cadre of business, government and nonprofit leaders who are capable and committed to leading across organizations and sectors during a crisis. The program will provide current and future leaders with the skills needed to act more cohesively and effectively in planning for and reacting to urgent health threats. Learn More
Emergency Preparedness & Response Fund
Following the events of September 11, 2001, and the anthrax attacks, the CDC Foundation established the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund to give CDC what it needs most in an emergency: flexibility and access to immediate resources. The Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund helps CDC prepare for future public health emergencies and, when needed, allows CDC experts on the frontlines of an emergency to immediately purchase the specialized equipment or services needed to get the job done. The Fund was activated for the first time to support the public health response to Hurricane Katrina. Learn More
Global Disaster Response Fund
Following the December 2004 tsunami disaster, CDC teams were called to the region to provide critical assistance to the survivors and to monitor for deadly disease outbreaks. CDC Foundation president and CEO Charlie Stokes quickly met with CDC officials to find out what the Foundation could do to help.
He learned that while CDC responders are well-trained and well-equipped for disaster situations, some specialized equipment — such as additional satellite phones, pocket PCs and a camera with global satellite positioning capabilities — would help them do their work more quickly and efficiently. The CDC Foundation established a new Global Disaster Response Fund to make it possible for people to contribute to CDC’s tsunami response efforts and to enable CDC to instantly purchase the equipment needed.
The Global Disaster Response Fund provides immediate, flexible resources to CDC experts addressing public health emergencies around the world - whether natural disasters like the tsunami, emerging diseases like SARS or avian influenza, or manmade biological threats. Learn More