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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response

This issue of The Express highlights the following new and updated resources:



• MRC Voices from the Field: APP MRC's Story of Resilience during Hurricane Helene and Team Rubicon and Medical Reserve Corps (New Speaker Series Recordings)
• Protecting the Well-Being of Disaster Responders (Webinar Recording) 
• Health Care Coalition Supply Chain Integrity Self Assessment
• Opportunities for Strengthening and Updating Crisis Standards of Care Frameworks: A Rapid Expert Consultation
• Register Today! Association of Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Professionals (AHEPP) Annual Conference

This National Preparedness Month, ASPR TRACIE extends our appreciation to our stakeholders for working so hard to keep our communities safe and resilient. Your health matters! Please check out our recent Protecting the Well-Being of Disaster Responders webinar, where speakers highlight how to recognize and respond to the effects of acute stress and strategies for creating a healthy work environment in both daily and disaster situations. As always, feel free to reach out to us if you need technical assistance or have a resource to share.

New MRC Voices from the Field Speaker Series Recordings

Hurricane Helene made landfall two years ago, becoming the deadliest hurricane since Katrina in 2005. In APP MRC's Story of Resilience during Hurricane Helene, Nadia Chauhan (program manager), Caroline Nunnally (team lead), Cynthia Baker (first-year Intern), and Olive Thompson (first-year Intern) share how the Appalachian (APP) Medical Reserve Corps supported the Hurricane Helene response (e.g., establishing a nonemergency call center with 24/7 availability and developing a related training program for APP MRC volunteers). Team Rubicon and Medical Reserve Corps features Deb Wetherill (BSN, RN), Eric Hill (MD, FACEP, FAEMS), and Jessica Ryder (MD, MPH) discussing the history of Team Rubicon and their Medical Reserve Corps pilot program, whose goal is to deploy medical teams that can fill gaps in healthcare in times of crisis. Access the rest of the MRC Voices from the Field speaker series recordings to learn more.  

Protecting the Well-Being of Disaster Responders (Webinar)

Responders often face significant stress during and after critical incidents, yet many report feeling unprepared for the emotional and operational challenges that follow. Limited routine staff support, cultural and societal reluctance to discuss response experiences, and the use of well-intended but often ineffective support strategies can amplify this stress. The speakers in the joint ASPR TRACIE-American College of Emergency Physicians webinar Protecting the Well-Being of Disaster Responders highlighted strategies for recognizing and responding to the effects of acute stress and shared practical approaches for creating healthy work environments that strengthen staff resilience in day-to-day operations and during disasters.

Health Care Coalition Supply Chain Integrity Self Assessment

Health care coalitions (HCCs) are required to complete a supply chain integrity assessment to identify resources likely to be in demand during emergencies, assess supply chain vulnerabilities, partner with manufacturers and distributors, evaluate access to critical supplies and alternate delivery options, and develop mitigation strategies to address potential shortfalls. ASPR TRACIE updated the Health Care Coalition Supply Chain Integrity Self Assessment (also available as a downloadable Word file) for HCCs to meet this requirement by examining the disaster readiness of their member organizations, particularly the strengths and vulnerabilities of their supply chains. HCCs are not required to use this tool if they have an alternate means or method of meeting the notice of funding opportunity requirement. 

Opportunities for Strengthening and Updating Crisis Standards of Care Frameworks: A Rapid Expert Consultation  

More than a decade after developing the landmark Crisis Standards of Care: A Systems Framework for Catastrophic Disaster Response, and at ASPR’s request, the National Academies has released a new rapid expert consultation examining how the framework should evolve. Updating Crisis Standards of Care: Examining Gaps and Opportunities identifies needed updates based on lessons from the pandemic response, the evolving threat landscape, critical supply chain disruptions, and healthcare workforce shortages.

Association of Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Professionals (AHEPP) Annual Conference

The AHEPP Annual Conference offers an opportunity for administrators, emergency preparedness coordinators, directors of public health preparedness, emergency managers, registered nurses, and other professionals in the healthcare preparedness field to share the latest research and best practices, network, and collaborate on ways to move healthcare preparedness forward. Space is limited-register for the 2027 conference today!