Skip to Main Content

Preparedness & Emergency Response

MHA Staff headshot Kara Amann Kale

Contact an Expert

Kara Amann

Director of Hospital Preparedness Programs

Hospital emergency preparedness and response is fundamental to community resiliency.

These planning resources establish hospital readiness, and provide a proven response and recovery framework, for before, during and after an emergency.

Stages of an Emergency

01. Preparedness

Preparedness are steps taken to ensure safety before, during and after an emergency. It is a continuous cycle of planning, organizing, training, equipping, exercising, evaluating and taking corrective action in an effort to ensure effective coordination during incident response.

02. Response

Response takes place in the initial minutes of an emergency and involves repeated assessment, planning, action and review to respond appropriately to needs and capacities as they evolve.

03. Mitigation

Mitigation is the effort to reduce the loss of life and property by lessening the impact of incidents.

04. Recovery

Recovery is the phase of the emergency from the point of incident stabilization to a return to a “normal” state.

MHA Resources

Implementing the Basics of HICS

On-demand content is available to ensure operational level staff or executives are equipped with the foundational knowledge and skills to navigate any crisis seamlessly.

  1. Operational Level
  2. Executive Level

Health Care Preparedness Professional Orientation Timeline

The Health Care Preparedness Professional Orientation Timeline provides a standardized orientation template to understand facility requirements, regional resources and Missouri’s health care response system. (Excel file)

  1. View the Timeline

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA’s mission is to lead America to prepare for, prevent, respond to, and recover from disasters with a vision of “A Nation Prepared.”  The agency offers several resources to help people before, during, and after disasters.

National Incident Management System

FEMA’s National Incident Management System provides a common, nationwide approach to enable the whole community to work together to manage all threats and hazards. NIMS applies to all incidents, regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity. NIMS retains key concepts and principles while incorporating lessons learned from exercises and real-world incidents, best practices, and changes in national policy.

MHA Resources

FEMA Resources

  1. View the Latest Preparedness & Emergency Response Resources
  2. Learn More About EMResource/EICS
  3. Learn More About the Missouri Health Care Coaltition

Stay Informed MHA Newsroom

All News
Missouri Health Leaders Commend State’s Top 10 Award To Transform Rural Care

December 30, 2025

Missouri Health Leaders Commend State’s Top 10 Award To Transform Rural Care

Leaders of three of Missouri’s health care associations congratulate Gov. Mike Kehoe and his administration on securing a $216 million initial…
Read article: "Missouri Health Leaders Commend State’s Top 10 Award To Transform Rural Care"
A courageous young mixed race woman recovering from cancer walks arm in arm with her senior mother. They are enjoying the outdoors and time together. They are walking down a rural road at sunset.

December 29, 2025

MHA Applauds Missouri’s $216 Million Rural Health Transformation Program Award

Missouri’s hospitals and the patients they serve will benefit from a $216 million initial award through the federal Rural Health Transformation…
Read article: "MHA Applauds Missouri’s $216 Million Rural Health Transformation Program Award"
MHA Holiday Schedule Announced, Support Remains Available

December 22, 2025

MHA Holiday Schedule Announced, Support Remains Available

In addition to Christmas (Dec. 25) and New Year’s Day (Jan. 1), the Missouri Hospital Association and affiliate offices will be closed Dec. 26, Dec.…
Read article: "MHA Holiday Schedule Announced, Support Remains Available"
Analyst Employee Working On Spreadsheet Using Desktop Computer

December 22, 2025

CMS Releases Transparency In Coverage Proposed Rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a proposed rule that would change payer price transparency regulations to improve the…
Read article: "CMS Releases Transparency In Coverage Proposed Rule"

Get Involved Events & Education

All Events
Jan 5

Clinical Faculty Academy

Train the next generation of nurses! This two-day academy equips RNs to succeed as clinical instructors with key skills, support and CNE hours.

View event: "Clinical Faculty Academy"
Jan 8

Clinical Faculty Academy

Train the next generation of nurses! This two-day academy equips RNs to succeed as clinical instructors with key skills, support and CNE hours.

View event: "Clinical Faculty Academy"
Jan 26

HIDI Office Hours

Connect with HIDI experts during open office hours — get personalized help with tools, data submission and more.

View event: "HIDI Office Hours"
Jan 27

HIDI Focus Session: Hospital Performance Insights: Financial Data Capture

Maximize your hospital’s financial data. Learn strategies to boost accuracy, streamline reporting and turn insights into smarter decisions.

View event: "HIDI Focus Session: Hospital Performance Insights: Financial Data Capture"
Back to Top

Mutual Aid Agreement

The Missouri Hospital Mutual Aid Agreement establishes a coordinated system through which hospitals throughout Missouri and in adjoining states will provide mutual aid to each other as necessary to support emergency medical care needs in a medical disaster.

  1. Download the Mutual Aid Agreement