Disaster readiness average

Colorado in the middle of the pack, a survey says.

When it comes to disaster preparedness, Colorado is about average.

So says the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which issues a state-by-state assessment based on categories from flu vaccination rates to the percentage of people covered by wireless 911.

Overall, Colorado scored 6.7 on a 10point scale, matching a national average that has risen since the foundation first published its index three years ago.

Colorado scored above the national average on environmental and occupational health hazard preparedness and its ability to mitigate harm from biologic, chemical or nuclear agents.

Its incident management resources and everyday health care systems scored about average.

It fared worse in comparison with other states on mobilizing communities to work together during times of crisis and on its security surveillance systems. But its scores in both categories have been improving.

The national results show strong disaster preparedness from Maine to Virginia along the East Coast, which includes states stunned by the 9/11 terrorist strikes and battered by devastating storms.

Low preparedness ratings went mostly to states in the Rocky Mountain West and the Southeast. Despite Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana drew a poor rating in the latest survey, released Monday.

“To keep Americans safe, we need to know how well-equipped every state in the nation is to prevent and manage widespread health emergencies,” said Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, president and CEO of the foundation, which finances and directs the index.

The foundation survey combines 134 measures to achieve its overall ratings, which are intended to help states see their strengths and weaknesses in disaster preparedness.

It calls its index the most comprehensive picture of health security preparedness.