During a pandemic flu outbreak or other public health emergency, traditional community and cultural framework may breakdown or be significantly interrupted. American society is nearly completely dependant on a "Just-in-time" delivery system for goods and services ranging form groceries to pharmaceuticals to local government support. Since a pandemic outbreak might be accompanied by a 40% absenteeism in the workforce, all aspects of society will have delays, shortages, and in some cases complete breakdowns in the delivery of basic life services.

Consequently, the Platte County Health Department encourages local families, neighborhoods, and communities to establish a groundbreaking community-based program called the Neighbor-to-Neighbor (N2N) Network. The N2N Network encourages "old-fashioned" community support between neighbors and friends. This kind of solidarity ensures those local citizens with special needs and considerations (such as physical limitations) are cared for and are helped to maintain a quality of life during a pandemic outbreak.

There are five (5) easy steps to establish a N2N program in your community:

1) Recruit and organize as many neighbors as possible,

2) Contact your local public health and emergency management offices,

3) Discuss special needs within the community and develop an action plan for future events,

4) Hold regular meetings and trainings on preparedness issues, and

5) Implement a phone tree or alternative communication system to use during an emergency.

The N2N Network is a Community Readiness Challenge Presentation.

Please contact a representative from the Division of Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Public Information at the Platte County Health Department for more information.