CPCA Supports Health Centers Prepare to Continue Providing Critical Health Services in Times of Emergencies
California has seen its share of extreme conditions this year with record breaking temperatures, major wildfires, poor air quality, and threats of widespread power outages in addition to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and now a surge in respiratory viruses among pediatric patients.
Community health centers (CHCs) provide vital health services to the most vulnerable communities and as such, it is important they have the necessary policies and procedures in place to continue operations in an emergency event, whether natural or man-made.
CPCA has developed educational material, trainings, operational tools, and other resources to support, improve, and strengthen CHC emergency preparedness, including the planning for, response to, and recovery from disasters. An expert review and update of CPCA’s existing Emergency Management toolkits were recently completed in partnership with Connect Consulting Services. Included below are descriptions of updated/new toolkits and a newly developed webcast series, all of which are available on CPCA’s Online Store or OnDemand Library.
Backup Power Resiliency Plan Template
This Backup Power Resiliency Plan provides specific emergency management policies and procedures to ensure the execution of essential functions of CHC facilities that are threatened by either a planned or emergency power outage event. The purpose of this response plan is to underscore what is needed to maintain daily operations should a power outage occur. This plan will help effectively mobilize CHCs prior to, during, and after a power outage event to minimize the disruption of operations.
Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) Toolkit
A COOP is a framework for helping to ensure that individual CHCs or health center systems can continue to conduct essential functions during a wide range of emergencies. COOP activities include policies, plans, and procedures. Tests, trainings, and exercises are essential for ensuring that a CHC's COOP will be viable when needed.
Crisis Communications Plan Template
The Crisis Communications Plan Template provides CHCs guidance to develop and maintain an emergency preparedness communication plan for emergency communication needs.
Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) Template
The EOP provides a systems-based approach for CHCs to manage, respond to, and recover from incidents.
Hospital Incident Command System Webcast Series
This two-part webcast series on key incident command roles and responsibilities before, during, and after an emergency was developed to help support health centers implement an incident management structure. The first webcast focuses on an introduction and history of the Incident Command System, Standardized Emergency Management System, and the Hospital Incident Command System. The second webcast focused on key roles and positions of the Hospital Incident Command System.
For question or additional information/resources, contact CPCA’s Program Coordinator of Health Center Operations, Ivan Prado, at iprado@cpca.org.