Disaster Response

Disaster Response
There is a website with Just In Time disaster training videos in many subjects. Individuals, agencies, and organizations can access this free training! The videos found in this library cover disaster related mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery training for a wide variety of areas. 

HEALTH CARE COALITIONS
Calhoun County Health Care Coalition is a multi-disciplinary partnership able to assess jurisdictional risks and respond cohesively during a mass casualty and/or mass effect incident.  This partnership group is based on risk assessment and gap analysis to serve Calhoun County.  Stewart Memorial Community Hospital and Calhoun County Board of Health (Public Health and Environmental Health) participate in Iowa’s Hospital and Public Health Emergency Preparedness program.

The Hospital and Board of Health have established a partnership designed to serve as the coordinating group for a local Health Care Coalition .  A Health Care Coalition (HCC) is a formalized response structure that will empower active partners at the response level.  The HCC will assist Emergency Management to carry out Emergency Support Function (ESF) #8 with preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation activities related to disaster operations.

Emergency preparedness is shifting from general planning efforts to focused capabilities for a sustained response to a public health or medical crisis.  These efforts are designed to promote prepared and resilient communities by and for the individuals that live and work in those communities.

Ongoing activities for staff and community partners include:

  • Review revision of local emergency response plans
  • Annual listing of emergency response plans
  • Education and training in reparing for, responding to, and recovering from public health emergencies.
  • Volunteer recruitment and retention
Who should be members of a Health Care Coalition?
  • EMS providers
  • Emergency Management/Public Safety
  • Long-term care providers
  • Mental/behavior health providers· Private entities association with healthcare (e.g., Hospital associations)
  • Specialty service providers (dialysis, pediatrics, women’s health, stand alone surgery, urgent care)
  • Support service providers (labs, pharmacies, blood banks, poison control)
  • Primary care providers
  • Community Health Centers
  • Public Health
  • Hospitals
  • Private business/industry
How can joining a Health Care Coalition benefit your organization?
  • Your organization will allow other community agencies and entities to recognize your assets, priorities, and resource gaps.  As federal funding and resources continue to become limited collaboration and partnership building at the community level will be imperative to sustain preparedness programs and response partnerships.
How can I get more information about the Health Care Coalition?