October 18-24, 2018 | International Association of Emergency Managers | IAEM Conference & EMEX | Grand Rapids, MI | More...

November 5-7, 2018 | Association of Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Professionals (AHEPP) | Annual Conference | Scottsdale, AZ | More...

November 27 & 29, 2018 | MESH Coalition | National Healthcare Coalition Preparedness Conference | New Orleans, LA | Save the Date

A third of Hurricane Maria deaths stemmed from healthcare disruption, NEJM study shows: "A new and much higher estimate of the death toll in Puerto Rico from Hurricane Maria last year attributed one-third of the deaths to delayed or interrupted healthcare services.." (Healthcare Dive) | More...

Demonstrating the Value of Health Care Coalitions for Meeting Preparedness Requirements: "The CMS rule, which became effective in November 2017, will compel healthcare facilities to reconsider coalition participation." (PA Times) | More...

Broward Hospitals Had Just Run an Active Shooter Drill — Then They Faced the Real Thing: "On Wednesday afternoon, doctors at Broward Health North in Pompano Beach and Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale saw their drills turn into reality." (Emergency Management) | More...

Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) move from the CDC to the ASPR: "Trump’s budget proposal underscores the shift of control from the CDC to the ASPR as an enhancement of emergency preparedness and health security by consolidating the necessary strategic decision-making around the development and procurement of medical countermeasures." | More...

Hospitals’ Best-Laid Plans Upended By Disaster: “Across the country, natural disasters have become more frequent and more deadly; the carnage from mass shootings resembles that on a battlefield... (Kaiser Health News). | More...

Senate Health Committee Begins Reauthorization of the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act: “Our bipartisan work has resulted in strong partnerships with our states and local counterparts, created greater certainty and accountability to bring forward medical countermeasures, and established a clear strategy with which we can combat the full range of public health threats we face today and those we may encounter in the future,” Burr said during his opening remarks. (Homeland Preparedness News). | More...

White House Releases National Security Strategy: The White House has released the National Security Strategy, which centers on four vital national interests: protect the homeland, the American people, and the American way of life; promote American prosperity; preserve peace through strength; and advance American influence (The White House). | More...

FEMA broadens churches' access to disaster funds: With lawsuits pending in Texas and Florida from churches and synagogues challenging the limits, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Tuesday that it is removing language in its rules that has often disqualified religious groups from aid available to other nonprofits. (Politico). | More...

FEMA would place greater emphasis on pre-disaster planning under approved House bill: The House of Representatives approved legislation last week that would reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to place a greater emphasis on pre-disaster planning and mitigation. (Homeland Preparedness News). | More...

Bill reauthorizing grant programs for local fire, rescue departments heads to President’s desk: The Assistance to Firefighters (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs will be reauthorized through fiscal year 2023 under a bill that the U.S. Senate recently approved. (Homeland Preparedness News). | More...

Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Strengthen ‘Worst-Case Scenario’ Preparedness for Hospitals, Long-term Care Facilities: U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-12) and Daniel Webster (FL-11) today introduced legislation to strengthen and evaluate emergency preparedness procedures for hospitals and long-term care facilities.  | More...