Ask Me about ReDiReCT: Integrating National Library of Medicine (NLM) Resources into Disaster Preparedness and Response Cross-Disciplinary Training

Background: The goal of this project, funded by the National Network of Libraries of Medicine / South Central Region, was to broadly disseminate information regarding availability and integration of NLM disaster-related resources and applications to Texas A&M University Health Sciences students, first-responders, and the community at large in the central Texas region. Using a train-the-trainer approach and student ambassador model, the project focused on enhancing student and responder knowledge and utility of NLM Disaster related resources.

Description: A Disaster Response Toolkit was developed in concert with Texas A&M University Medical Sciences Library linking to key resources by responder, planner or member of community from the NLM Disaster Information Management Research Center (DIMRC). The training was integrated into the Texas A&M University Health Disaster Week 2020. This inter-disciplinary concentration of more than 750 current and future disaster responders comes together with the community to explore disaster simulation and response. Disaster Week and the activities leading up to the event provided a unique opportunity to reach a broad group of future first responders. By developing a training focused on the availability, utility and application of the NLM resources and building a central resource or portal through University Libraries, the students were able to utilize and share the NLM disaster related resources in and across their respective professions.

Conclusions: Student ambassadors were debriefed regarding the experience, post-event surveys evaluated and pre-post site analytics collected to track activity and utilization of the Disaster Response Toolkit webpage. Lessons learned will be reviewed and applied to upcoming events that prepare our next group of current and future disaster planners and responders.