Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Preparedness
Developing and Implementing an Emergency Management Plan for Your Health Center

This information discusses reasons why Health Centers should develop a comprehensive Emergency Management Plan; explores activities typically included in EM plans; provides a step-by-step approach to assist Health Centers in developing, implementing, and executing EM Plans that are appropriate in terms of organization size and composition, while taking into consideration the environment in which the organization operates; and provides and overview of “business interruption insurance” as well as a list of outside resources, which may provide further assistance to Health Centers in preparing their EM plans.

Key Emergency Preparedness roles and responsibilities for CHC’s

  • Plan ahead for an emergency/disaster
  • Activate necessary alarm
  • Get connected with local emergency management and response officials.
  • Follow the response per local emergency management officials.
  • Consider having an evacuation plan in the event that you have to leave the area
  • Have a backup communication system
  • Have a safer location to evacuate to in the event that a warning of the emergency is not given.
  • Surveillance of unusual occurrences in the workplace/surrounding area.
  • Staff, administration, community and patient education
  • Understand and recognize responsibilities in the community as a CHC during an emergency
  • Understand the CHC roles on all level in the event of an emergency
  • Have a plan to reopen your health center after the emergency/disaster.
  • Prepare and stockpile equipment and other general necessities in the event of an emergency or disaster

NACHC-National Association of Community Health Centers

Emergencies Happen: An In-Depth Guide to Emergency Management for Health Centers

The intent of this Health Center resource guide is to provide Health Centers with detailed information and resources, including various approaches to assist Health Centers in developing and implementing and Emergency Management component to their established risk management program.

Preparing your CHC for an All-Hazard Emergency/Disaster

Planning , development, and implementation of all emergency functions necessary to prevent, prepare for, mitigate the effects of, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters caused by any threat to the environment. It may be man-made, natural, or technological.

Primary Care Office Pandemic Plan Template available from CDC. ” The template provides a good outline for putting together a basic plan– this may be a great start if your health center doesn’t currently have a pan flu plan.” – Mollie Melbourne, Health Center Emergency Management

Emergency Management Policy: This page contains links to emergency management policy that affects health center planning. Also useful for policy planning is the Essential Components of an Emergency Management Plans – FQHCs

Personal Preparedness: All disasters are local and preparedness for them starts with YOU. Follow this link to find information, resources, and templates to build a plan for you and your family.

Hazard Specific Information: Follow this link to find information for specific bioterrorism or chemical agents, emerging infectious diseases, weather related events, and more.

CRISIS MANAGEMENT

We are providing links to the following videos that can be viewed by your organization while planning for this type of event.

Options for Consideration Active Shooter Preparedness(Video Link)

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

RUN. HIDE. FIGHT.® Surviving an Active Shooter Event (Video Link)

 

For more information on Emergency Preparedness, contact CHCAMS at 601-981-1817.

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