California hospitals are a critical element within the disaster
medical response system and work collaboratively with local
government, other health care providers and other agencies to
plan, prepare for and respond to the needs of victims of natural
or man-made disasters, bioterrorism, and other public health
emergencies. Hospital emergency preparedness is a priority for
government at all levels, as well as a key focus of regulatory
and accrediting agencies.
Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to further assist
communities across the state recovering from devastating
wildfires dating back to 2017. The order extends the state’s
prohibition on price gouging for Butte, Los Angeles,
Mendocino, Napa, Santa Barbara, Sonoma, and Ventura counties.
A new state website has been launched as a resource for
Californians impacted by wildfires and utility power shutoffs.
RESPONSE.CA.GOV is a
portal to local and state services, including information on
shelters, housing, transportation, health and emergency
preparedness.
Recognizing the importance of learning from recent disasters and
from one another, more than 700 hospital and disaster response
officials from across California gathered in Pasadena this week
at CHA’s annual Disaster Planning for California Hospitals
conference.
Seasonal firefighters, new fire engines, and a state of emergency
declaration to expedite forest management projects are just three
of the highlights in this executive order. Full text below:
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-16-19
July 31, 2019
WHEREAS California experienced the deadliest and
most destructive wildfires in its history in 2017 and 2018,
devastating areas throughout California; and
FEMA’s National Integration Center has developed and released a
Senior Leader Toolkit, a resource that both emergency management
and senior leaders can use to discuss roles and responsibilities
during incidents.
The toolkit
is available on the FEMA
website and includes an Elected Officials/Senior
Executives Quick Reference Guide, a Department Head Quick
Reference Guide, and a NIMS Senior Leader Briefing Template.
