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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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December 5, 2025

Distinguished Quality Professional Award Presented to Denise Wilson

Denise Wilson, DNP, R.N., System Director, Regulatory Compliance and Accreditation received the Distinguished Quality Professional Award for her…
Read article: "Distinguished Quality Professional Award Presented to Denise Wilson"
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December 3, 2025

CMS Repeals Long-term Care Facilities Minimum Staffing Rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued an interim final rule with a comment period that repeals the minimum staffing standards for…
Read article: "CMS Repeals Long-term Care Facilities Minimum Staffing Rule"
CMS Proposes New Medicare Advantage Policies And Issues Request For Information

December 1, 2025

CMS Proposes New Medicare Advantage Policies And Issues Request For Information

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a proposed rule that would update Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug…
Read article: "CMS Proposes New Medicare Advantage Policies And Issues Request For Information"
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December 1, 2025

CMS Issues Final CY 2026 Home Health PPS And DMEPOS Updates

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the Home Health PPS payment and policy updates for calendar year 2026. CMS is reducing the…
Read article: "CMS Issues Final CY 2026 Home Health PPS And DMEPOS Updates"

Get Involved Events & Education

All Events
Dec 8

AWHONN Obstetric Patient Safety: OB Emergencies Workshop

MO PQC & AWHONN workshop offers CMS-required training with simulations to improve obstetric emergency care for all clinicians.

View event: "AWHONN Obstetric Patient Safety: OB Emergencies Workshop"
Dec 9

AWHONN Obstetric Patient Safety: OB Emergencies Workshop

MO PQC & AWHONN workshop offers CMS-required training with simulations to improve obstetric emergency care for all clinicians.

View event: "AWHONN Obstetric Patient Safety: OB Emergencies Workshop"
Dec 9

Chargemaster Coding Updates and Implementation for 2026

This event will review important component changes to critical Current Procedural Terminology and Outpatient Prospective Payment System. 

View event: "Chargemaster Coding Updates and Implementation for 2026"
Dec 16

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"
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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