News and Alerts
- WHO Director-General declares mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, August 14, 2025
- CDC Health Alert Network Health Update: Mpox Caused by Human-to-Human Transmission of Monkeypox Virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with Spread to Neighboring Countries, August 7, 2024
- Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus in Animals: Interim Recommendations for Prevention, Monitoring, and Public Health Investigations, CDC, June 20, 2024
State & Local Emergency Management Agencies
- District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management AgencyInformation about AlertDC, emergency plans, training, terror threat advisories.
- District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical ServicesFeatures information for the general public.
- Maryland Emergency Management AgencyProvides links to emergency preparedness information for businesses and the public, the state’s emergency management plan and current news and alerts.
- Virginia Department of Emergency ManagementProvides links to emergency preparedness information for businesses and the public, the VDEM terrorism toolkit, recovery planning and current news and alerts.
General Preparedness/Disaster Information
- American Red CrossFeatures links to all types of disaster information, include the “safe and well” system and how to find a shelter.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)Features emergency preparedness information, recovery information, updates and disasters and maps.
- Ready.govGeared towards consumers, resources available in multiple languages, covers special concerns such as elders and pets.
- Disaster Assistance.govInformation portal for disaster survivors with information about how to apply for assistance, assistance available from government agencies and finding federal disaster relief centers. Available in English and Spanish.
- HHS ASPR TRACIETechnical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (TRACIE) was created to meet the information and technical assistance needs of those working in disaster medicine, healthcare system preparedness, and public health emergency preparedness.
- MedlinePlusInformation geared towards consumers and covers a wide variety of disasters, including earthquakes, radiation exposure, floods, earthquakes and winter weather emergencies.
- National Science Foundation-DisastersSpecial report website with information on understanding disasters, preparing and immediate response.
- National Terrorism Advisory SystemCurrent NTAS advisories and archived copies of expired advisories.
- National Weather ServiceHomepage of the National Weather Service with information on weather alerts, graphical forecasts, national maps, forecast models and weather safety information.
Image by Mikhail Nilov
About This Guide
This guide is a resource for first responders, health professionals, librarians and others interested in emergency management and disaster preparedness. Most resources listed are freely available to the public, with the exception of print and e-books in the Himmelfarb Library collection.
For faculty staff and students affiliated with the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Milken Institute School of Public Health, or School of Nursing here are other ways of getting help with your research questions:
- Visit the Himmelfarb Reference Desk: Here are our hours
- Phone (Reference Desk): 202-994-2962
- Email a Librarian: Send us an email
- Instant Messaging: Enter your question into the Ask A Librarian Chat tab on the library home page.
