​The Public Health Preparedness and Response Core Competencies were created to establish a common performance goal for the public health preparedness workforce. This goal is defined as the ability to proficiently perform assigned prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery role(s) in accordance with established national, state, and local health security and public health policies, laws, and systems.  Much of an individual's ability to meet this performance goal is based on competencies acquired from three sources: foundational public health competencies, generic health security or emergency core competencies, and position-specific or professional competencies.

There are also competencies within the following four domains that are critical to build and sustain the capacity of public health workers to fulfill their responsibilities:

1. Model Leadership

• 1.1 Solve problems under emergency conditions.
• 1.2 Manage behaviors associated with emotional responses in self and others.
• 1.3 Facilitate collaboration with internal and external emergency response partners.
• 1.4 Maintain situational awareness.
• 1.5 Demonstrate respect for all persons and cultures.
• 1.6 Act within the scope of one's legal authority.

2. Communicate and Model Information

• 2.1 Manage information related to an emergency.
• 2.2 Use principles of crisis and risk communication.
• 2.3 Report information potentially relevant to the identification and control of an emergency through the chain of command.
• 2.4 Collect data according to protocol.
• 2.5 Manage the recording and/or transcription of data according to protocol.

3. Plan for and Improve Practice

• 3.1 Contribute expertise to a community hazard vulnerability analysis (HVA).
• 3.2 Contribute expertise to the development of emergency plans.
• 3.3 Participate in improving the organization's capacities (including, but not limited to programs, plans, policies, laws, and workforce training).
• 3.4 Refer matters outside of one's scope of legal authority through the chain of command.

4. Protect Worker Health and Safety

• 4.1 Maintain personal/family emergency preparedness plans.
• 4.2 Employ protective behaviors according to changing conditions, personal limitations, and threats.
• 4.3 Report unresolved threats to physical and mental health through the chain of command.

You can access additional information about the Public Health Preparedness and Response Competencies here. To access training addressing these competencies, go to TRAIN​ and search the Course Catalog using the Competencies and Capabilities filter.