Since the attacks of 9/11, the U.S. government has provided funding to federal, state, and local emergency response entities in order to prepare better for accidental, intentional, and natural threats. Public health departments have received grant funding in order to implement, maintain and exercise response plans within their purview. Grant requirements (deliverables) via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have included submitting preparedness plans and providing after-action reports from both real-world emergencies and exercise events to ensure the funds are invested appropriately and effectively. Analysis in this thesis of real-world emergencies and the lessons learned from them demonstrates the grant funding is falling short of its goal by not assessing for operational content and practicality. The subsequent development in this thesis of an all-hazards audit tool should ensure the ability to assess operational content and identify gaps, which will lead to an improved state of readiness.Civilian, Pinal County Public Health Services DistrictApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited
