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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
Staff Spotlight: Chris Conn Celebrates 20 Years With HIDI

November 14, 2025

Staff Spotlight: Chris Conn Celebrates 20 Years With HIDI

Congratulations to Chris Conn, information services junior analyst, on 20 years of service to HIDI!Chris is one of the Hospital Industry Data…
Read article: "Staff Spotlight: Chris Conn Celebrates 20 Years With HIDI"
nurse shows other trainees how to use the IV drip

November 14, 2025

MHA, Partners To Host 2026 Virtual Health Care Career Day

Registration is now open for the fifth annual virtual Health Care Career Day scheduled for Friday, Feb. 27, 2026.This statewide, virtual event will…
Read article: "MHA, Partners To Host 2026 Virtual Health Care Career Day"
On the Move: Hospital Leadership Changes for November 2025

November 13, 2025

On the Move: Hospital Leadership Changes for November 2025

Check out these leadership changes from hospitals around the state for the month of November 2025:Maryland Heights Center For Behavioral Health Names…
Read article: "On the Move: Hospital Leadership Changes for November 2025"
MHA Members Elect Chair-Elect, Board Approves 2026 Officers

November 12, 2025

MHA Members Elect Chair-Elect, Board Approves 2026 Officers

The Missouri Hospital Association Board of Trustees approved Stephen L. Reintjes Sr., M.D., president and CEO of NKC Health in North Kansas City,…
Read article: "MHA Members Elect Chair-Elect, Board Approves 2026 Officers"

Get Involved Events & Education

All Events
Nov 17

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"
Nov 18

Emerging Health Care Leaders

Empower emerging leaders with the skills, confidence and insight to lead effectively — today and into the future.

View event: "Emerging Health Care Leaders"
Nov 18

HIDI Focus Session: HIDI Hospital Acquired Conditions Dashboard

See how your hospital can view data related to hospitalization and drill down to specific conditions, patients and time frames.

View event: "HIDI Focus Session: HIDI Hospital Acquired Conditions Dashboard"
Nov 19

Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement Program

Stay survey-ready! This virtual session covers QAPI standards, top deficiencies and updated CMS guidelines for all hospital types.

View event: "Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement Program"
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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