At a glance
The Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) is designed to provide public health leaders and emergency managers information about a community so they can make informed decisions. CDC has developed numerous resources and trainings to aid in conducting a CASPER.
State-based training
CDC provides disaster epidemiology training to state, tribal, local, and territorial (STLT) public health and emergency response staff by request.
The purpose of the training is to:
- Increase emergency response capacity
- Improve disaster epidemiology skills
- Share lessons learned
If you are a STLT health department and would like to be considered for training, please contact CASPER@cdc.gov.
You may also download a Disaster Epidemiology Training Request form. A presentation template for a full-day CASPER training is also available (PDF version).
Online e-Learning
The goal of the CASPER e-Learning is to supplement the CASPER toolkit. The e-Learning provides an overview of the CASPER methodology, its uses, and the local capabilities required to conduct a CASPER.
Whether this is the first time you are exposed to CASPER or you are a seasoned veteran looking for a refresher, we hope you find this eLearning useful.
One pagers and fact sheets
- Helpful tips for a successful CASPER: A quick refresher of key CASPER elements and steps; intended to supplement the CASPER toolkit.
- CDC one page fact sheet on CASPER
- Flint water crisis CASPER
- Deepwater Horizon CASPER
- CASPER interview tips Provides a general guideline for making the interview successful.
YouTube videos
Training and field assistance
- Introduction to systematic random sampling in the field. Developed by the California Department of Health, a short introduction to selecting households to interview.
- Just-in-time training video. Developed by Harris County, Texas, a short video on Just-in-time training.
- Using Incident Command System (ICS) for CASPER implementation: Introduction. Developed by the California Department of Health, a short introduction to ICS.
- Using Incident Command System for CASPER implementation: Case Study. Developed by the California Department of Health, a case study for using ICE during CASPER.
Past CASPERs
- CDC Response to hurricanes (YouTube video). Short video on the use and benefit of CASPER using the 2017 Hurricane response in the U.S. Virgin Islands as an example.
- Fort Bend County CASPER: Reviews a CASPER conducted to evaluate "How Prepared" jurisdictions are and close any gaps in community preparedness through education and training.
- Hurricane Harvey CASPER assessment: Series of short videos prepared by Harris County reviews the CASPER conducted in the southeast portion of Harris County Texas after Hurricane Harvey, 2017.
- Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services (HCPHES) CASPER assessment – March 2015: Reviews a preparedness CASPER conducted in Harris County, Texas.
- Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services (HCPHES) CASPER assessment – January 2016: Reviews a preparedness CASPER conducted in Pasadena in January 2016.
- Public health emergency response at the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo: Shows how workers representing various agencies worked to collect CASPER data.