CDC's Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI) is a federally funded program designed to enhance preparedness in the nation's largest population centers where more than 50% of the U.S. population resides. Using CRI funding, state and large metropolitan public health departments develop, test, and maintain plans to quickly receive and distribute life-saving medicine and medical supplies from the nation's Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) to local communities following a large-scale public health emergency.
Initially, the CRI planning scenario was based on a response to a large-scale anthrax attack; however, through continued analysis and lessons learned, it became apparent that CRI jurisdictions must be prepared to respond to other public health emergencies. The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act emphasized an all-hazards approach to public health preparedness planning, thereby expanding the scope of the CRI planning to include natural and man-made public health threats.
Local Health Department Toolkits
For more information, please visit www.cdc.gov/phpr/stockpile/cri/ or contact the DPH Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response at (860) 509-8282.