Emergency Preparedness

Issues

About Emergency Preparedness

It’s time to change the way California thinks about disaster response. The state must draw on the lessons of COVID-19 to prepare differently for disasters, so that the next large crisis will be less severe and less deadly.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that hospitals can quickly mobilize to put in place emergency preparedness plans and use flexible approaches to care for patients with the greatest needs during a disaster. In the case of COVID-19, hospitals rapidly converted spaces to create more ICU beds to care for surges of COVID-19 patients, redeployed staff, and utilized other staffing strategies to provide care to critically ill patients.
Given California’s size and complexity, the health care disaster response system of the future must be nimble enough to respond at any given moment to a regional catastrophe or something larger.

State Offers Free One-Time, 30-Day Supply of PPE From Stockpile

On May 14, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced in All Facilities Letter 21-15 that the Statewide Logistics Task Force has authorized all health care providers and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responders to access the state inventory to request a one-time, 30-day sustainment supply of personal protective equipment (PPE). This 30-day supply is free of charge and may be used for stockpiles or in daily operations. Health care providers and EMS responders may request […]

FEMA Announces Additional Reopening Funding

On April 5, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the availability of additional funding to reimburse qualifying costs related to safely reopening and operating certain eligible entities (including private nonprofit medical facilities).   Items eligible for reimbursement include certain personal protective equipment, cleaning and disinfection, COVID-19 diagnostic testing, screening and temperature scanning, and temporary physical barriers for social distancing. The interim policy includes 100% federal […]

FEMA Releases Updated Policy for Public Assistance Related to COVID-19

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released an updated version of its “Coronavirus Pandemic Medical Care Eligible for Public Assistance” policy.   The updated version includes a new section on allowable costs associated with COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration. It also updates the conditions of receiving funding to ensure that recipients focus the use of FEMA funding on underserved populations and high-risk communities. Finally, the policy provides details on […]

Learn About Applying for FEMA Assistance Grants During CHA Webinar

On April 1 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. (PT), CHA is joining with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) team on a webinar to help hospitals apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance grants.    During this complimentary, members-only webinar, experts will cover general information regarding FEMA’s HMA grant program, including the […]

State Offers Oxygen-Related Provider Hotline Resource

To enhance the transparency of all oxygen-related equipment and supplies offered throughout the state, the California Health and Human Services Agency, in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, is offering a provider hotline for health care facilities and Medical and Health Operational Area Coordinators (MHOACs).  

President Issues Executive Orders to Address COVID-19 Pandemic

On Jan. 21, President Biden issued additional executive orders and directives instructing various federal agencies to take specific actions to address the COVID-19 pandemic, including expanding testing and vaccination capacity, increasing personal protective equipment (PPE) and other necessary materials to combat the pandemic, slowing the spread of COVID-19, and addressing inequitable outcomes. 

Webinar Will Address Ransomware and Emerging Cyber Threats That Target Hospitals

Crime does not stop because of COVID-19. The increasing sophistication and frequency of ransomware, phishing, and hacking attacks mean that the health care industry is more vulnerable than ever to cybersecurity threats. On Feb. 11 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. (PT), CHA will host a webinar that will discuss firsthand hospital experience with attacks in late 2020 and how to safeguard patient care and protect operations.