According to the HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response’s (ASPR) Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP), the mission of the health care coalition is to reduce the burden of illness, injury, and loss of life in the event of an emergency or disaster through coordinated emergency preparedness and response. In order to do that, coalitions need to understand their local hazards, assess the availability of resources in their communities, and analyze the challenges facing their health care systems.
A health care coalition is a network of individual healthcare and disaster response organizations working in a specific geographic location to prepare for and respond to disasters and emergencies. Hospitals, long-term care, EMS providers, emergency management organizations, public health agencies, and more all contribute to a coalition. By utilizing resource assessments, hazard vulnerability assessments (HVA), and gap analysis tools, health care coalitions can pinpoint where to focus their energies.
Coalitions are responsible for supporting members in their response to emergencies and planned events. Support may include statewide or regional coordination, medical equipment and supplies, information sharing, communication systems, and training health care and public health personnel. Coalition members are also encouraged to participate in joint planning, training, and exercise activities.
In addition to plan development and exercise design, Coordinated Consulting Services (CCS) has performed hazard vulnerability assessments, resource assessments, and gap analyses for health care coalitions. CCS’s preparedness solutions have enabled our clients to gain a better understanding of the challenges facing their communities and improve resiliency across their organizations. Click the Contact link for more information.
Resources:
https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/sharper/Documents/hpp-pmi-guidance-faq-2017-2022.pdf