PROGRAM BENEFITS

The success of the Southeastern Healthcare Preparedness Region and its response during a disaster is reliant upon 3 key components: collaboration, planning, and training/ exercise. Your agency is encouraged to join us as we prepare our region for a medical disaster response. The SHPR is committed to broadening and strengthening the members of the region.

Benefits of membership in the SHPR include access to training opportunities such as disaster preparedness symposiums, opportunities to collaborate with other medical disaster planners, and involvement in exercises that are Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) consistent and meet most credentialing requirements. As a coalition member, you will be included in regional planning and mutual aid agreements. You will have opportunities to collaborate with your peers and enable a more cohesive response during disasters. A strong coalition increases visibility and advocacy for medical disaster preparedness and response.

Benefits of Membership include:

• Eligibility to participate in regional planning initiatives like healthcare hazardous materials decontamination or evacuation planning.

• Eligibility to participate in the regional disaster exercise.

• Access to subject matter experts in emergency preparedness

• Access to a wide array of important planning and response information

• Additional knowledge regarding available resources across the region and state

• Participation in an information sharing and situational awareness network

• Peer support and networking

• Opportunities to share your expertise, experience, and knowledge regarding your discipline with other planners with the goal of a holistic, inclusive regional emergency operations plan.

Where do you fit in?

HOSPITALS

Hospitals are the first receiving facilities in any disaster. Hospitals support staff deployment and communicate bed availability.

EMS

(Including inter-facility and other non-EMS patient transport systems)

Emergency medical personnel are some of the first responders on the scene of any disaster. They are on the front lines and are often the first medical professionals that a patient will encounter.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES (EMA)

EMA’s are the local lead during disasters. They share situational awareness with coalitions who in turn communicate this information to members of the regional healthcare infrastructure.

PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES

Monitor and prepare for pandemic and environmental health hazards and provide sheltering support during disasters.

ANCILLARY HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS:

With proper training, coordination and planning, Ancillary Heath Care Agencies and other stakeholders can provide local situational awareness, surge capability, and staffing resources. They include:

· Behavioral health services and organizations

· Skilled nursing, nursing, and long-term care facilities

· Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)

· Dialysis centers and regional Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)-funded end-stage renal disease (ESRD) networks

· Federal facilities (e.g., U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers, Indian Health Service facilities, military treatment facilities)

· Home health agencies (including home and community-based services)

· Infrastructure companies (e.g., utility and communication companies)

· Jurisdictional partners, including cities, counties, and tribes

· Local chapters of health care professional organizations (e.g., medical society, professional society, hospital association)

· Local public safety agencies (e.g., law enforcement and fire services)

· Medical and device manufacturers and distributors

· Non-governmental organizations (e.g., American Red Cross, voluntary organizations active in disasters, amateur radio operators, etc.)

· Outpatient health care delivery (e.g., ambulatory care, clinics, community and tribal health centers, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), urgent care centers, freestanding emergency rooms, stand-alone surgery centers)

· Primary care providers, including pediatric and women’s health care providers

· Schools and universities, including academic medical centers

· Support service providers (e.g., clinical laboratories, pharmacies, radiology, blood banks, poison control centers)

· Other (e.g., child care services, dental clinics, social work services, faith-based organizations)

. Specialty patient referral centers