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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
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September 9, 2026

MHA Distributes Analysis For FFY 2027 Final Medicare IRF PPS

The Missouri Hospital Association prepared an analysis that illustrates the financial effect of the FFY 2027 final Medicare inpatient rehabilitation…
Read article: "MHA Distributes Analysis For FFY 2027 Final Medicare IRF PPS"
DHSS Issues Health Alert On Increased Measles Activity In Midwest

September 9, 2026

DHSS Issues Health Alert On Increased Measles Activity In Midwest

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services issued a health alert encouraging health care providers to remain aware of increased measles…
Read article: "DHSS Issues Health Alert On Increased Measles Activity In Midwest"
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September 4, 2026

MedPAC Shares Analysis Of Health Care And Medicare Spending

MedPAC released a summary of an analysis that contains information about health care spending and trends in Medicare expenditures. Key findings…
Read article: "MedPAC Shares Analysis Of Health Care And Medicare Spending"
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September 4, 2026

Family Support Division Releases New FAQs On Work Requirements

Following a town hall meeting, the Missouri Department of Social Services’ Family Support Division released a new list of FAQs related to the changes…
Read article: "Family Support Division Releases New FAQs On Work Requirements"

Get Involved Events & Education

All Events
Sep 11

Virtual Health Care Career Day Informational Webinar

Learn how your organization can get involved in the sixth annual virtual Health Care Career Day event, taking place Friday, Feb. 26, 2027.

View event: "Virtual Health Care Career Day Informational Webinar"
Sep 16

Navigating the Complexities of the Nurse Manager Role

This two-day event delves into the distinct challenges that nurse managers face in their daily responsibilities.

View event: "Navigating the Complexities of the Nurse Manager Role"
Sep 17

MAHA/MAHVRP Annual Conference

This conference will bring together members of the Missouri Association of Hospital Auxiliaries (MAHA) and the Midwest Association for Healthcare…

View event: "MAHA/MAHVRP Annual Conference"
Sep 17

Crisis Management and Resilience for Health Care Facility Management Teams

This virtual session will focus on strengthening preparedness across hospital and care facility operations.

View event: "Crisis Management and Resilience for Health Care Facility Management Teams"
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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