Whether you are new to the role of disaster preparedness within
your hospital or have been in your position for a while, the
content of this section can provide assistance and clarification
on the responsibilities and expectations associated with this
role.
There are no educational, training standards or formal
competencies for hospital emergency preparedness staff. However,
the following activities can help to get you in your role:
Educate yourself on the licensing, regulation and
accreditation requirements of emergency preparedness such as The
Joint Commission and the National Incident Management System
Review your organization’s current Emergency Management
Program and its Emergency Operations Plan as well as related
policies and procedures
Know when to activate your emergency operations plan and
hospital command cente
Learn your organization’s alert and notification system and
procedures
Review and take advantage of resources available on this
website to develop or review your EOP and related emergency
preparedness plans
Ensure your organization has a business continuity/continuity
of operations plan
Review your organization’s Hazard Vulnerability Analysis
(HVA); ensure it considers your community’s HVA
Review past safety/emergency management committee meeting
minutes
Develop relationships and with other hospital disaster
coordinators; in particular those in your area
Identify and develop relationships with your community
response partners such as EMS, Public Health, other healthcare
facilities, fire and Law Enforcement
Identify how you be will be notified by your local response
partners
Identify contact information for community response partners
and hospital contacts for use in an emergency/crisis situation
and ensure they have up to date contact information for your
facility
Become familiar with the local incident management process
and the state response system known as SEMS
Develop a relationship and contact information with the local
MHOAC (Medical Health Operational Area Coordinator) or government
point of medical emergency contact for your area
Get training on the Hospital Incident Command System (HICSi)
or other ICS
Attend corporate/system or hospital emergency preparedness
meetings
Attend local community emergency preparedness and/or disaster
planning meetings
Primary considerations when responding to a disaster are the
relationships developed and knowing your resources (equipment,
supplies and staff) both internally and externally. Maintain
contact information for key individuals
Educate hospital staff on the plan and practice, practice,
practice. The more familiar everyone is with roles and
responsibilities the higher your degree of success
Establish a schedule of drills and exercises to practice the
plan, including participation with community partners in
community or statewide exercises; use the results of these
activities to improve your EOP and response
Prepare yourself! Develop your own personal/family plan;
encourage all employees to have personal/family plans. Vital to
any organization’s preparedness is well-prepared staff /workforce
