Hurricane Katrina Information for Mississippi Hospitals

Administration targets changes to federal response system in wake of Katrina

In a report reviewing lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina, the Bush administration on Feb. 23 recommended 125 actions to improve the federal response to future hurricanes and disasters. The report recommends establishing a national operations center to coordinate the federal, state and local response to major domestic incidents; an interagency team to recommend improvements to the national response plan; and a national emergency communications strategy to support interoperable communications. It also recommends transferring the National Disaster Medical System from the Department of Homeland Security to the Department of Health and Human Services, and that the Department of Transportation coordinate the timely evacuation of patients and transport of medical supplies and personnel when disasters overwhelm state and local governments.

[ via AHA News ]

DHS announces steps to strengthen disaster response in wake of Katrina

The Department of Homeland Security on Feb. 13 announced changes to strengthen the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s ability to respond to disasters, particularly catastrophic events like Hurricane Katrina. Among other actions, DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff said his department would establish a more sophisticated logistics management system to better track shipments of materials and equipment, manage inventories, and ensure effective distribution and delivery of needed supplies. In addition, he said FEMA would establish a highly trained unit of permanent employees able to take full advantage of DHS resources and capabilities to reach victims in a timelier manner; and enhanced communications capabilities to provide real-time information that can be used to inform decision-making and prioritize resource requirements.

[ via AHA News ]

FEMA meetings regarding Long Term Community Recovery process

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will conduct a series of meetings to discuss the interest of local communities in the Long Term Community Recovery process. These meetings are being coordinated by the FEMA ESF-14 Division, which was organized to interface with other Federal agencies, elected officials, and community groups as part of facilitating long-term recovery. Attached below is a list of workshops scheduled to date. They will hold additional workshops in other counties as time progresses. 

For more information, contact Jackie Stoner at 206-714-7006 or 601-818-7097 or Jacquelyn.stoner@associates.dhs.gov.

Download list_of_fema_workshops_and_draft_agenda.doc

FEMA Public Assistance Briefings-Update

Attached below is the most current information we have from FEMA at this time. We will continue to update you as we get more information.

Download fema_public_assistance_program_applicant_briefings_091905.doc

FEMA Public Assistance Program Applicant Briefings - Schedule

State officials and FEMA are holding a series of Applicant Briefings to inform entities affected by Hurricane Katrina about FEMA’s Public Assistance Program.   A schedule of upcoming meetings for specific counties is attached.

The Applicant Briefing is the first step in requesting relief from FEMA’s Public Assistance Program. The Public Assistance program provides supplemental federal disaster grant assistance for the repair, replacement or restoration of disaster-damaged, publicly owned facilities and the facilities of certain private non-profit organizations. 

Attached below is a FEMA Public Assistance Request Form. This is a very simple form that you should complete and take with you to the meeting. Also attached is a brief overview of the FEMA Public Assistance Program that you may find helpful.

For hospitals who plan to seek assistance from FEMA, this is an important meeting.  If you are able, please have a representative from your facility attend to get the information distributed at this meeting. While FEMA’s Public Assistance Program is currently limited to government owned and non-profit entities, federal legislation is pending that would expand eligibility to for-profit entities, such as hospitals, who have also suffered damages from Hurricane Katrina. Therefore, it may be beneficial for a staff member from for-profit hospitals to attend as well.

For more information, contact Amy Arrington at MHA at (800) 289-8884, (601) 368-3215 or aarrington@mhanet.org.

Program Overview
Download fema_public_assistance_program_overview_word_format.doc

Applicant Briefings Schedule
Download fema_public_assistance_program_applicant_briefings_schedule.doc

Request Form
Download fema_pa_requst_form_90049.pdf

Hospital Primer for FEMA Assistance

Thanks to the Florida Hospital Association for offering our members this primer on what assistance the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) provides for hospitals.

Download FEMAPrimer.pdf