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• A healthcare emergency readiness coalition (HERC) is comprised of a core group of hospitals and healthcare organizations, local and tribal public health agencies, state, regional, and local and tribal emergency management, and emergency medical services, as well as additional members. These partners collaborate for the common goal of making their communities safer, healthier, and more resilient.  Wisconsin has seven regional HERCs that support communities before, during, and after disasters and other health-related crises.

 

• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) funds Wisconsin’s HERCs. ASPR leads the country in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the adverse health effects of emergencies and disasters. ASPR’s Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) enables the health care delivery system to save lives during emergencies and disaster events that exceed the day-to-day capacity and capability of existing health and emergency response systems. 

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• HPP is the only source of federal funding for health care delivery system readiness, intended to improve patient outcomes, minimize the need for federal and supplemental state resources during emergencies, and enable rapid recovery. HPP prepares the health care delivery system to save lives through the development of health care coalitions (HCCs). In Wisconsin, these are known as healthcare emergency readiness coalitions (HERCs). 

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• The overall goal of the HERC is to help Wisconsin communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from a disaster as quickly as possible. Through coordinated preparation, response, and recovery efforts, HERC members work to create a more resilient Wisconsin." 

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• Benefits of HERC Membership.       

  • Public Health:  Local and tribal public health agencies benefit from HERC membership by collaborating through planning, training and exercising to meet preparedness grant objectives and accreditation requirements. HERCs also provide coordination, support, and resource management during public health related emergencies.

  • Emergency Medical Services: EMS agencies benefit from HERC membership by participating in HERC-supported training and exercise opportunities, including those related to responder safety and health. 

  • Hospitals: Hospitals benefit from HERC membership through technology advancements, enhanced communication for situational awareness, information sharing during actual events, and overall incident coordination, support, and resource management .

  • Emergency Management: Local, tribal, and regional emergency management benefits from HERC membership through collaboration and support of medical and health needs during and incident or disaster. 

  • Additional Members: Providers that are part of the continuum of the healthcare delivery system, including skilled nursing facilities. pharmacies, blood banks, dialysis centers, among others, benefit from HERC membership by playing a vital role in ensuring healthcare delivery in the time of a disaster. 

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