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              Coronavirus (COVID-19)
                          Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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          Coronavirus Emergency Management Best Practices
                                    We've compiled best practices and lessons learned that communities faced fighting COVID-19. This collection is not exhaustive, but we will continue to add content and highlight key areas.
                                                              Illustration of a checkmarkworld globeEnglish
alert - warningThe COVID-19 incident period ended on May 11, 2023. FEMA will continue to provide funeral assistance until Sept. 30, 2025, to those who have lost loved ones due to this pandemic.
Case Studies



Community Innovations



Helping People



Government Operations



Private Sector



Recovery Planning



Medical Supplies



We encourage all emergency managers to review our latest COVID-19 fact sheetsfor details on federal assistance programs and guidelines.



Organizations can email best practices or lessons learned to fema-cipsupport@fema.dhs.gov.



FEMA does not endorse any non-government entities, organizations, or services. Claims made by third parties have not been independently verified by FEMA.



Stay Informed



Get the latest public health information on coronavirus at www.coronavirus.gov.



Case Studies



View our collection of key findings and considerations for jurisdictions and communities regarding ongoing COVID-19 pandemic operations across the country.



Topics include:



Food banksGovernment engagement with citizensConsiderations for people with disabilitiesCommunity Emergency Response TeamsVolunteer managementView All Case Studies



Community Innovations



Many communities responded to COVID-19 in innovative ways that highlighted the best of American ingenuity.



An Alabama-based company creates custom-made, digitally-fitted masks that meld to every contour of a person's face.A new platform matches elder or immunocompromised residents in Oakland, California, with low-risk volunteers who can help them during the COVID-19 pandemic.The University of Oregon's Institute for Health in the Built Environment is piloting the incorporation of regular testing of building surfaces and air ducts for the virus.



View All Community Innovation Stories



Helping People



Disability ConsiderationsGuidance for state, local, tribal, and territorial governments on how to ensure that people with disabilities have adequate access to goods and services during the COVID-19 pandemic.Connecting Consumers with Local FoodCountries, cities and private citizens expanded local food production through family and community gardens to supplement supply chains to address COVID-19 pandemic related effects on traditional farming and food supply chains.Sustaining Nutritional Needs for At-Risk IndividualsMillions of Americans rely on a range of at-home and community-based food services. This resource provides federal agencies and state, local, tribal and territorial governments tools to sustain and expand home delivered meals and other nutrition programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for at-risk individuals.



View All Helping People Best Practices



Other Resources to Help People



Mass Care/Emergency Assistance Pandemic Planning Considerations Guide(FEMA)COVID-19 Response and Homelessness: An Action and Resource Guide (HUD)Government Operations



The Louisiana State University NCBRTThis nationally recognized center for emergency management training has developed a range of online COVID-19 resources and trainings for emergency responders.Natural Hazards PreparednessRecommendations and best practices for state, local, tribal and territorial officials when managing the risks posed simultaneously by the COVID-19 pandemic and natural hazards.Government Engagement with CitizensMethods jurisdictions have used to assess constituent needs to inform response efforts and identify relevant information to share with their communities.Pandemic Operational Guidance To help emergency managers and public health officials prepare for hurricane season and other disasters during COVID-19.



View All Government Operations Best Practices



Other Government Operations Resources



Exercise Starter Kit for Preparedness in a PandemicRisk Management for Novel Coronavirus (CISA)State Level Information for Essential Workers Seeking Child Care (HHS)Guidance for First Responders on Patient Privacy during COVID-19 (HHS)Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 (DOL)Private Sector and Infrastructure



Nuclear Industry ResponseA list of key findings and considerations for jurisdictions and communities regarding use of Nuclear medical technology applications and Nuclear energy during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic operations.Longer-Term Business ReopeningStrategies supported by guidance from federal, state and local governments that businesses across various sectors can implement to protect employees and customers from COVID-19 as businesses begin phased reopening.Re-Orienting Business ProductionCompanies across industries repurposed their production capabilities to support the response to the coronavirus pandemic disease (COVID-19).



View All Private Sector and Infrastructure Best Practices



Recovery Planning and Implementation



Unemployment InsuranceSome examples of strategies states and territories implemented to help individuals file unemployment insurance claims.Reconstitution PlanningOrganizations across the nation are grappling with when and how to resume operations while protecting the well-being and safety of their employees and communities.Financial ManagementThe recently released Disaster Financial Management Guide can help a jurisdiction successfully use all available federal resources for disaster recovery, including the COVID-19 Supplemental Funding.Environmental and Historic PreservationIdentify emergency protective measures for COVID-19 that may adversely affect natural, historic and/or archaeological resources. Learn how to comply with environmental and historic preservation laws, regulations and executive orders.



View All Recovery Planning and Implementation Best Practices



Other Recovery Planning and Implementation Resources



Exercise Starter Kit for Workshop on Reconstituting Operations (FEMA)GeoHEALTH platform (HHS)Medical Supplies and Equipment



Key Strategies to Prepare for COVID-19 in Long-term Care Facilities (CDC)ASPR TRACIE COVID-19 Information Exchange (HHS)Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of N95 Respirators (CDC)Optimizing Ventilator Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic (HHS)Rapid Expert Consultation on Crisis Standards of Carex (HHS)Guidance on COVID-19 (CDC)
Last updated May 15, 2023

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