WEEKLY UPDATE: 09/18/25
During National Preparedness Month, Connecticut hospitals and health systems reaffirm their longstanding commitment to continuous collaboration between healthcare organizations and the state to always remain ready for emergencies and disasters — both natural and man-made. The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) recognizes and thanks hospital emergency management teams, the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), and state officials for partnering to collectively support and guide communities through emergencies.
On a daily basis, hospitals are on the frontlines of preparing for, responding to, and recovering from public health emergencies, such as spread of viral diseases, as well as hurricanes, winter storms, extreme heat events, supply chain disruptions, and cyberattacks. Disasters happen year-round and require vigilance on the part of the healthcare community and practitioners to ensure that when people are injured, sick, or need medical attention, they are guaranteed timely, high-quality care.
Guided by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response’s (ASPR) Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP), administered by DPH’s Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (OPHPR), hospitals and health systems are constantly enhancing emergency planning and response. They achieve this by monitoring, maintaining, and improving:
- Information and database sharing
- Communications systems
- Bed availability and surge capacity tracking
- Hospital evacuation planning
- Pharmaceutical inventories
- Decontamination capabilities
- Coordination with community organizations
- Personnel training and education
- Emergency drills and exercises
- Volunteer management
Currently, federal funds from the HPP support DPH, hospitals, health systems, and community partners in their shared mission to deliver coordinated and effective care to victims of public health emergencies.
Click here for more information about the Connecticut Hospital Preparedness Program.
