Continuity planning for local public health agencies in northern Wisconsin -- providing essential public health services after displacement

Abstract

The Continuity Planning in Public Health Survey (CPPHS) was developed to assess the awareness of continuity planning (CP) within the Northwoods Public Health Preparedness Consortium of Northern Wisconsin. Study participants were comprised of 15 females and 2 males. Respondents worked within public health in a managerial or supervisory capacity, with a mean of 10.2 years work experience within their current positions. A total of 17 surveys were analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov one-sample test for survey item analyses, along with qualitative analyses. Response rate was 77.27%. The Ss assessed: 1) statistical significance in the awareness and implementation of CP, 2) statistical verification regarding the use of CP within preparedness plans, and 3) statistical assessment of public health capacity within the challenges and benefits of CP, following displacement, which is not being able to work from the normal place of business. The data enabled the researcher to qualify trends in responses to answer three research questions. Recommendations are offered for improving awareness and implementation of CP within public health.