18. Preparedness process

This Chapter provides a layout for the development, implementation, and evaluation of interventions designed to enhance/augment the levels of preparedness of the public health and medical care aspects of disasters. The preparedness framework is provided for the analysis of the preparedness process and consists of 17 steps: (1) hazard and risk identification; (2) vulnerabilities, historical perspectives and predictions; (3) selection of hazard(s) to address; (4) selection of indicators; (5) standards and benchmarks for preparedness; (6) current status; (7) identification of preparedness needs; (8) strategic planning; (9) selection of intervention; (10) operational planning; (11) implementation; (12) conclusion/finalise: end points; (13) documentation of effects; (14) transition, maintenance, sustainability; (15) evaluation; and (16) feedback. At any time in this algorithm the process may be terminated by or after consultation with the coordination and control centre. Each of these processes is described in detail. In addition, attention is directed to the coordination and control centre during planning, preparedness, and evaluations of preparedness.