Preparedness Plan
Introduction
Wyoming Region 1 Healthcare Coalition, Inc. (R1HCC) was formed with the fundamental mission to strengthen and unify public and private healthcare organizations, enabling them to collaboratively prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters within the region. In light of the vast geographic expanse and unique challenges presented by Wyoming's sparse population, this preparedness plan is not just a necessity but a cornerstone for safeguarding our community's health and wellbeing in times of crises.
The R1HCC’s core purpose is to weave a robust network of diverse and interdependent organizations. These organizations, in the wake of a disaster, rely upon one another for essential resources such as supplies, transportation, personnel, and more. This intricate and cohesive web ensures that, even in the face of unforeseen events, our healthcare infrastructure remains resilient and prepared.
Central to the R1HCC's ethos are its objectives:
- Informational Synthesis: Facilitating a seamless exchange of vital data among healthcare entities and with jurisdictional authorities to cultivate a shared situational awareness.
- Collaborative Support: Enhancing the efficacy of healthcare organizations by synergizing coalition partners' Emergency Operation Plans.
- Community Centricity: Upholding the community's needs by elevating the quality of care for disaster patients and victims and bolstering the healthcare system's response capabilities.
- Best Practices: Advocating the inception and application of effective practices related to emergency preparedness, spanning continuity planning, education, training, and evaluation.
- System Reinforcement: Dedication to fortifying and maintaining the public health and medical response framework by astutely identifying and addressing gaps.
- Anticipatory Care: Championing the healthcare providers' aptitude to forecast care requirements during medical surges.
This preparedness plan is developed in compliance with federal grant guidance, underscoring the essentiality of a well-structured, agile, and comprehensive approach to emergency preparedness for the entire region. By setting forth this plan, the R1HCC reiterates its unwavering commitment to the health and safety of the community it serves.
Regional Overview
Geographic Description
Region 1 is situated in the northeast quadrant of Wyoming, consisting of five counties: Campbell County, Crook County, Johnson County, Sheridan County, and Weston County. This region spans a vast area of 16,774 square miles, marked by a combination of plains, low-lying hills, and parts of the Rocky Mountains.
Population Centers
The region is home to approximately 100,000 residents, primarily distributed among the main population hubs of Buffalo, Gillette, Newcastle, Sheridan, and Sundance. Despite these significant centers, a considerable portion of the populace resides in rural and semi-rural areas, showcasing the region's sparse population density.
Healthcare Infrastructure
Healthcare services in Region 1 are provided by a network of hospitals offering a cumulative total of 231 licensed beds:
| Hospital | Location | Beds |
|---|---|---|
| Campbell County Memorial Hospital | Gillette, WY | 90 |
| Crook County Hospital | Sundance, WY | 16 |
| Johnson County Healthcare Center | Buffalo, WY | 25 |
| Sheridan Memorial Hospital | Sheridan, WY | 88 |
| Weston County Health Services | Newcastle, WY | 12 |
Additionally, the Sheridan VA Medical Center, located in Sheridan, has 200 licensed beds. Although primarily serving veterans with VA health benefits, the center is committed to providing assistance during patient surge/crisis events.
Transportation and Communication
Transportation across the region is facilitated through major highways like Interstate 90 (I-90) and Interstate 25 (I-25), ensuring connectivity between the major population centers and beyond. The Northeast Wyoming Regional Airport in Campbell County serves as a primary aviation hub, complemented by several smaller airstrips dispersed throughout the region.
Economic Landscape
The energy sector dominates the economic tapestry of Region 1, with a significant focus on coal, oil, and natural gas extraction. This industry not only contributes massively to the regional economy but also employs a significant portion of the local population.
Historical Context
Region 1, like other areas, has had its share of challenges. The recent global pandemic, COVID-19, tested the region's healthcare infrastructure and resilience. In addition, the region's geography and climate render it susceptible to natural calamities, with tornadoes, wildfires, and blizzards being relatively frequent occurrences. These events underscore the importance of preparedness and the value of the R1HCC in coordinating and enhancing regional response mechanisms.
Coalition Objectives
The Region 1 Healthcare Coalition (R1HCC) seeks to unify, enhance, and mobilize the region's healthcare response during emergencies and disasters. Our objectives are designed keeping in mind the region's unique challenges, such as its sparse population and vast geographic expanse, as well as the intrinsic values of community preparedness and collaboration.
Maintenance and Sustainability of HCC
Promote the value of healthcare and medical readiness
(Capability 1, Objective 5, Activity 1) As a coalition, the R1HCC, backed by its member healthcare organizations, underscores its mission to bolster community preparedness. By emphasizing the role it plays in prepping the community for various emergencies, the coalition manifests its commitment to both direct and indirect benefits for the region. Leadership within the HCC will continually serve as liaisons to community leaders, ensuring the HCC's activities and mission remain transparent and engaging for the community.
Promote sustainability of the HCC
(Capability 1, Objective 5, Activity 5) The R1HCC recognizes the importance of long-term effectiveness and the sustainability of its endeavors. Sustainability isn't solely financial; it encompasses in-kind contributions, such as time, expertise, resources, and the continued engagement of its members and the larger community. Strategies that promote financial sustainability, like cost-sharing techniques and exploring various funding avenues, are central to the coalition's agenda.
Sharing leading practices and lessons learned
(Capability 1, Objective 4, Activity 6) Collaboration and shared knowledge form the backbone of an efficient response system. The R1HCC is committed to liaising with member organizations, governmental agencies, and other HCCs to share best practices and lessons from past experiences. This approach enhances coordination during crises and paves the way for improved response strategies.
Engagement of Partners and Stakeholders
Health Care Executives
Engaging healthcare executives remains pivotal to R1HCC's mission. By communicating the myriad benefits of being part of the coalition, we seek to garner increased commitment and buy-in from these leaders. Their influence spans across clinical departments and non-clinical support services, ensuring that the values and objectives of the coalition permeate throughout their respective organizations.
Clinicians
Clinicians form the frontline of any healthcare response. Their feedback, expertise, and involvement are crucial for the coalition's plans and strategies. By including clinicians from various specialties, R1HCC ensures that medical surge plans are realistic and beneficial. Their expertise guides training programs, steering committees, and various educational sessions, making them indispensable to the coalition's mission.
Community Leaders
The coalition believes in the strength of community. Engaging with community leaders helps in promoting the importance of readiness and assures the region's residents of the coalition's commitment. Just as with the HCC, community leaders can offer in-kind donations, time, resources, and financial support to further the coalition's objectives.
Special Populations
No response plan is comprehensive without taking into consideration the unique needs of varied demographics. R1HCC, along with its members, endeavors to ensure inclusive planning. Agencies representing children, pregnant women, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those with unique healthcare needs are incorporated in the planning process, ensuring that everyone in the community feels represented and cared for.
Workplan
The R1HCC has established a robust workplan to guide its operations, policy development, and execution of preparedness activities. This workplan is evaluated and refined during the monthly meetings of the Coalition and its Board of Directors to ensure the regional needs are met and that the Coalition remains agile in the face of changing circumstances.
Roles and Responsibilities
R1HCC Board of Directors
- Hold monthly meetings to monitor progress, address challenges, and refine strategies.
- Serve as the primary entity for decision-making and providing direction for the Coalition.
- Review and approve policies, procedures, and educational materials.
- Engage with member organizations to ensure active participation and contribution to the HCC’s objectives.
Member Organizations
- Provide input and insights based on their expertise and experience in healthcare and emergency response.
- Participate in policy development and review.
- Attend training sessions and exercises.
Key Activities
Policy Development
- Collaborate with members to identify areas needing policies or improvements.
- Draft, review, and refine policies in consultation with stakeholders.
- Ratify policies during Board of Directors' meetings.
Committees and Work Groups
- Form committees or work groups for specialized tasks such as response plan development, educational material creation, and resource research.
- Engage with experts within member organizations for in-depth insights and recommendations.
Educational Material Development and Evaluation
- Identify training needs and areas of improvement.
- Develop materials to address these needs, ensuring they are relevant and up-to-date.
- Organize training sessions, webinars, or workshops to disseminate information.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of training through feedback and post-training assessments.
Materials Research and Acquisition
- Identify required materials and resources for emergency preparedness and response.
- Research potential suppliers or sources for these materials.
- Acquire necessary resources in consultation with the Board of Directors.
Evaluate Exercises and Responses to Emergencies
- Organize periodic drills and exercises to test the effectiveness of response plans.
- Gather feedback from participants and stakeholders.
- Review and analyze exercise outcomes to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
- Integrate findings into policy updates and training materials.
Performance Metrics
- Percentage of policies developed and updated annually.
- Percentage of member organizations actively participating in training sessions and exercises.
- Feedback scores from training sessions and exercises.
- Key times during responses to emergencies.
Collaboration with Member Organizations
The Coalition places a high emphasis on close collaboration with its member organizations. The unique strengths, perspectives, and resources of each member are valued and integrated into the Coalition’s overall strategy. Regular interactions, shared responsibilities, and a mutual commitment to preparedness ensure that the R1HCC remains cohesive and effective.
Signatures
This document was approved by the R1HCC Board of Directors as indicated below:
| By | Of | Its |
|---|---|---|
| ~ | Wyoming Region 1 Healthcare Coalition, Inc. | President |
| ~ | Wyoming Region 1 Healthcare Coalition, Inc. | Vice-President |
| ~ | Wyoming Region 1 Healthcare Coalition, Inc. | Secretary |
| ~ | Wyoming Region 1 Healthcare Coalition, Inc. | Treasurer |
| ~ | Wyoming Region 1 Healthcare Coalition, Inc. | Director-at-Large |
| ~ | Wyoming Region 1 Healthcare Coalition, Inc. | Director-at-Large |