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Preparedness & Emergency Response

MHA Staff headshot Kara Amann Kale

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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
A  Women Reviews the Data Analysis of Marketing from Social Media Platforms.

February 13, 2026

Missouri Hospital Transparency Data Updated, Now In One Central Location

To make health care information easier for Missourians to access and understand, the Missouri Hospital Association has consolidated all statewide and…
Read article: "Missouri Hospital Transparency Data Updated, Now In One Central Location"
a group of four young trainee nurses including male and female nurses , walk towards camera down a hospital corridor . They are wearing uk nurse uniforms of trousers and tunics.

February 13, 2026

Deadline For Workforce Data Submissions Approaching

Two surveys that provide essential data for hospitals are closing Friday, Feb. 27. The 2026 Missouri Regional Healthcare Compensation and Benefits…
Read article: "Deadline For Workforce Data Submissions Approaching"
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February 11, 2026

MHA Distributes Wage Index, Occupational Mix Data For Review

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released revised public-use files used to develop the federal fiscal year 2027 Medicare wage index.…
Read article: "MHA Distributes Wage Index, Occupational Mix Data For Review"
CMS Proposes Changes To Health Insurance Marketplace

February 11, 2026

CMS Proposes Changes To Health Insurance Marketplace

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters proposed rule that will set the standards for the…
Read article: "CMS Proposes Changes To Health Insurance Marketplace"

Get Involved Events & Education

All Events
Feb 17

Hospital Preparedness Academy 2026 – Nine-part Virtual Series

Join the Hospital Preparedness Academy for nine interactive sessions packed with practical strategies, regulatory insights, and collaborative…

View event: "Hospital Preparedness Academy 2026 – Nine-part Virtual Series"
Feb 23

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"
Feb 24

Hospital Preparedness Academy 2026 – Nine-part Virtual Series

Join the Hospital Preparedness Academy for nine interactive sessions packed with practical strategies, regulatory insights, and collaborative…

View event: "Hospital Preparedness Academy 2026 – Nine-part Virtual Series"
Feb 24

HIDI Focus Session: HIDI Patient Safety Dashboards

Learn how HIDI’s Patient Safety Dashboards can help you track trends, monitor quality and drive safer patient care across your organization.

View event: "HIDI Focus Session: HIDI Patient Safety Dashboards"
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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