Disaster Outreach 2015

The National Library of Medicine (NLM), recognizing the untapped potential of libraries, librarians, and information services to aid in the nation's disaster management efforts created a "Disaster Information Management Research Center" (DIMRC) to support national emergency preparedness and response efforts. Since the Center opened in 2008, NLM has worked to train and support librarians to serve as Disaster Information Specialists to help meet their communities' information needs in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters and public health emergencies. DIMRC develops and provides access to disaster and emergency information resources and technology for health professionals and the public. (http://disasterinfo.nlm.nih.gov). These include access to the relevant biomedical literature via PubMed (http://pubmed.gov) and the non-commercial literature via Disaster Lit: The Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health (http://disasterlit.nlm.nih.gov), as well as tools to assist in the response to hazmat and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) events. These tools include the Wireless Information System for Emergency Responders (WISER; http://wiser.nlm.nih.gov) with information on over 400 chemical, biological, and radiological agents, Radiation Emergency Medical Management (REMM; http://remm.nlm.gov) and Chemical Hazards Emergency Medical Management (CHEMM; http://chemm.nlm.nih.gov). NLM, as part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), recognizes that it is critical to establish relationships with organizations that encourage and foster communication and information access. All those working in disaster medicine and public health need fast and easy access to the most up-to-date and accurate health information to effectively prepare for and respond to incidents. Evidence-based information from past events, incoming information from social media sources, and tools to aid in analysis are needed by health departments, hospitals, academic institutions, emergency management agencies, and non-governmental organizations to assist with disaster planning, as well as for response and recovery. Libraries and librarians are highly qualified to assist with these information needs.