Association between collaboration and bioterrorism preparedness in Montana: A local rural public health agency perspective

This study investigated the relationship between intersectoral collaboration and level of emergency preparedness among local public health agencies (counties and tribes) in Montana. The Montana Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Capacity Assessment instrument created a critical capacities baseline and documented the current status of local agency activity in six specific focus areas: (a) preparedness planning and readiness assessment, (b) surveillance and epidemiology capacity, (c) laboratory capacity, (d) communications and information technology, (e) risk communication, and (f) workforce education and training.;A research crosswalk linked Capacity Assessment items to predictor variables (indicators of collaboration) and the response variable (preparedness). The Emergency Preparedness Index (EPI) scoring matrix was developed to generate a continuous measure of preparedness. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to evaluate how well six nominal and continuous indicators of collaboration in four categories (communication, linkages, stage of partnership, and education/training) predicted preparedness.;Results supported the premise that process-related collaboration factors are significant predictors of public health emergency preparedness. A positive linear relationship between the response variable (preparedness) and each of the six predictor (collaboration indicator) models was found. This research highlighted the critical value of specific partnership activities (collaboration-related education/training, development of formal agreements, key partner linkages, and electronic as well as direct communication among system partners) necessary for protecting the public's health during a disaster.