About the Coalition
The Connecticut Health Care Coalition brings healthcare and response partners together to plan, train, and respond across the state.
What Is a Health Care Coalition?
A Health Care Coalition (HCC) is a multi-agency coordination group that brings together healthcare and response organizations within a defined geographic region to strengthen preparedness, response, and recovery for health and medical emergencies.
As defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), HCCs serve as regional coordination bodies that support and integrate with Emergency Support Function 8 (ESF-8) and local Incident Command Systems (ICS). Rather than responding in isolation, coalition members plan, train, share information, and coordinate resources before, during, and after incidents.
Core HCC Members
Healthcare coalitions center on four core member disciplines.
Acute Care & Critical Access Hospitals
Hospitals participate in coalition planning, training, and response coordination, including medical surge and patient movement.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
EMS agencies provide prehospital response, transport, and support for surge and mass casualty operations.
Local Public Health Agencies
Public health partners lead population-level preparedness, surveillance, and community mitigation activities.
Emergency Management Organizations
Local and regional emergency management partners provide ICS integration, logistics, and incident coordination.
Expanded Partners
The coalition also includes a broad network of healthcare, community, and government partners.
The Connecticut Health Care Coalition (CT HCC) serves as a single statewide HCC, supporting coordinated healthcare readiness across all five ESF-8 Regions. Learn more about Connecticut’s regional structure from DEMHS: CT DEMHS Regional Offices.
How CT HCC Supports the Four HCC Capabilities
Foundation for Healthcare and Medical Readiness
Building strong relationships, governance, and planning structures that support coordinated healthcare preparedness across the state.
Health Care and Medical Response Coordination
Supporting information sharing, situational awareness, and coordination during incidents to assist ESF-8 and healthcare partners.
Continuity of Health Care Service Delivery
Helping healthcare organizations plan for and sustain essential services during disruptions, including staffing, space, supplies, and patient movement.
Medical Surge
Enhancing the state’s ability to manage increased patient volume through coordinated surge planning, exercises, and resource sharing.
Coalition Stakeholders
The CT HCC is growing, with new members and guests joining every month. Explore the interactive map below to browse the current network of members, guests, and other stakeholders.
Executive Committee & Governance
CT HCC is guided by a multidisciplinary, multi-regional Executive Committee that provides strategic oversight and governance for the coalition.
Executive Committee Roles
- Chair
Presides over Executive Committee and full coalition meetings, sets strategic direction, and represents the coalition externally.
- Co-Chair
Supports the Chair, leads meetings in the Chair’s absence, and helps guide coalition priorities.
- ESF-8 Regional Appointees (5 seats)
One appointee from each of Connecticut’s five ESF-8 Regions ensures region-level representation, coordination, and two-way communication.
- Members At Large (up to 4 seats)
At-large members bring additional discipline and geographic diversity to coalition governance.
- Non-Voting Members
Non-voting seats include CT DPH Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, CT Hospital Association, CT HCC Fiscal Agent, Readiness & Response Coordinators (RRC), and the Clinical Advisor.
Role of the Executive Committee
The Executive Committee:
- Guides coalition priorities and policy
- Approves coalition plans and other business
- Oversees use of Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) Special Project funding
- Supports regional training, exercises, and improvement planning
- Ensures alignment with ASPR, CT DPH, and local partner requirements
CT HCC connects healthcare and response partners across the state of Connecticut to plan, train, and respond together—so communities receive the care they need when it matters most.