The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today awarded more than $352 million to continue improving disaster preparedness of hospitals and health care systems within every state, and three large metropolitan areas.
These Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) grants support preparedness activities for hospitals and healthcare facilities, including the medical surge capability in communities across the nation.
For example, after a tornado demolished a hospital in Joplin, Mo., the state’s disaster medical assistance team and hospital staff set up a mobile medical unit at the hospital site. The state purchased the mobile medical unit using HPP and other federal funds, and the unit will serve as the community’s hospital until a new hospital can be built.
Grant recipients use the HPP funds to employ experts who have developed and maintained preparedness plans and to purchase equipment, including mobile medical units and equipment to communicate with local emergency responders. HPP funds have been used to train and educate staff on disaster response, including the National Incident Management System, which provides a standardized management structure for disaster response. Grant recipients are required to test this capability through disaster exercises.
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