Welcome to the Connecticut Health Care Coalition Newsletter
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Connecticut Health Care Coalition (CT HCC) is to promote collaboration, education, and joint exercises during the planning and preparedness phases of emergency management. During real-world operations, the mission of the CT HCC is to help identify resources at the state and sub-state levels, and to collect, analyze, validate, and disseminate essential elements of information (EEIs) to partner agencies.
PARTICIPATE IN THE BP5 RESOURCE ASSESSMENT!
The Connecticut Health Care Coalition is conducting a Resource Assessment to assist the CT HCC partners develop a common understanding of resources and existing gaps. The survey will also assist in prioritizing CT HCC funded activities to improve preparedness and close gaps. This analysis is a required deliverable of the CT HCC. We would like to utilize the survey results for the Medical Response and Surge Exercise on November 8, 2023. Please complete the survey here by close of business on Monday October 20, 2023.
REGISTER FOR THE MRSE TODAY!
This year's Medical Response and Surge Exercise (MRSE) will take place on November 8, 2023, from 9 AM - 12 PM. The exercise will have a chemical focus and will test hospitals' capacity to manage a surge of 20% above their usual capacity. All member types are encouraged to sign up for this exercise.
FREE COVID-19 TEST KITS AVAILABLE NOW
The Department of Health and Human Services announced Wednesday that households may order up to four free tests through COVIDTests.gov starting on Monday, Sept. 25. The tests are intended for use through the end of the year and will detect the currently circulating COVID-19 variants. Connecticut residents are also encouraged to visit COVIDTests.gov to see if the expiration dates of any test kits they currently have at home have been extended.
Connecticut residents can contact their health care provider to receive the updated COVID-19 and flu shots at the same time or they can make an appointment at a retail pharmacy, such as CVS and Walgreens. Please visit www.vaccines.gov to find a location for COVID-19 and flu vaccines.
For adults (ages 18-64) without insurance and those adults whose insurance does not cover COVID-19 vaccines, the CDC’s Bridge Access Program will provide free COVID-19 vaccines for a limited time. For more information on the Bridge Access Program, please visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/bridge.
This information originated from a press release from the Connecticut State Department of Health. To view the full press release, click here.
IPAWS NATIONAL TEST 2023
On Oct. 4, 2023, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) plans a nationwide mobile alert test that will send an emergency SMS to all cellphones in the United States.
In coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the national test will be administered at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 4. It will consist of two portions that will test Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and Emergency Alert System (EAS) capabilities.
The WEA portion of the test will be directed to all consumer cell phones. The messaging will be displayed in either English or Spanish, depending on the language settings of the phone. The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions.
FEMA and the FCC are coordinating with EAS participants, wireless providers, emergency managers, and others to prepare for this national test to minimize confusion and to maximize the public safety value of the test.
“The purpose of the test is to ensure that the systems continue to be an effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level,” the FEMA website reads. “In case the Oct. 4 test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the backup testing date is Oct. 11.”
ETHICS SEMINAR ON CRISIS STANDARDS OF CARE FOR THE NEXT PANDEMIC
ACTIVE SHOOTER PREPAREDNESS WEBINAR
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Region 1 (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) invites you to join a two-hour security webinar to enhance your organization’s resilience in case of an active shooter incident. The webinar focuses on providing awareness training that supports the development of emergency action planning capabilities.
These capabilities may better position organizations in receiving important legal liability protections from the DHS Support AntiTerrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies (SAFETY) Act of 2002
SIGN UP FOR CYBER NUTMEG 2023
Cyber Nutmeg 2023 is a one-day event designed to heighten your awareness on cybersecurity threats and defenses you can deploy to protect your organization. Given the current threats posed by various actors across the cyber domain, it is more imperative than ever that we ensure our vigilance and commitment to improving our cybersecurity posture across the state. The Cyber Nutmeg event is an opportunity to share our collective challenges, discuss innovative solutions, and work toward our common goal: securing our state’s networks and protecting our data.
ICS AND CRISIS DECISION MAKING VIRTUAL AWARENESS LEVEL TRAINING
EMS & FIRE PRO EXPO + CONFERENCE
The EMS & Fire Pro Expo will take place on October 25-28, 2023, at the Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket, CT. The Expo aims to provide a dynamic platform for EMS and fire service professionals to gather, learn, and exchange knowledge on the latest technology, products, and services that will elevate their skills and enhance the delivery of emergency medical services. Attendees will have opportunities to network, see live demonstrations and hands-on exhibits of the latest emergency medical and fire equipment, attend CAPCE-accredited classes, and more.
AGINGCT SUMMIT
REGION 1 HEALTH & BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKSHOP
NATIONAL HEALTHCARE COALITION PREPAREDNESS CONFERENCE REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
The 2023 National Healthcare Coalition Preparedness Conference is set to take place on November 28-30, 2023, at the Paris Hotel and Casino in Last Vegas, NV. The theme of this year's conference is A Changing World: Opportunities for Transformation. Professionals in emergency management, healthcare coalitions, volunteer organizations and all levels of government (federal, state and local) will benefit from advancing their individual and collective skill sets by participating in over 40 sessions of content, sharing best practices, building partnerships, and interacting with the latest technology and industry thought leaders in the Exhibit Hall.
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER VIRTUAL AWARENESS COURSE
PARTNER TRAININGS AND WEBINARS
ESF-8 Region 5
MGT348: Medical Preparedness and Response for Bombing Incidents
ESF-8 Region 5 is sponsoring a delivery of MGT348: Medical Preparedness and Response for Bombing Incidents. The course is scheduled for delivery on October 18 and 19, 2023 . This course is designed for personnel from any professional background who may become part of a community response to a bombing event. This interactive, instructor-facilitated program employs case studies and research-based information designed to enhance medical preparedness for and response to blast effects. Breakout sessions address considerations and concerns specific both to medical responders and emergency planners.
See the Training Announcement and Registration HERE
Location: Litchfield County Regional Fire School, 606 Burr Mountain Rd., Torrington, CT 06790
Date: Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 7:00 AM EST
The Center for Rural Development
MGT 433: Isolation and Quarantine for Rural Communities
The Center for Rural Development is offering a virtual delivery of MGT 433: Isolation and Quarantine for Rural Communities. This course is scheduled for delivery on November 7 and 8, 2023. This course is designed to provide small, rural, and tribal jurisdictions with the knowledge necessary to begin planning for situations requiring the isolation and quarantine (I&Q) of
a large portion of a local,rural population. MGT 433 serves as a stand-alone, instructor-led training opportunity for I&Q disciplinespecific areas. This course is also available online as MGT 433-W. Topics include isolation and quarantine introduction, legal preparedness, ethical considerations, roles, and communication strategies.
See the Training Announcement and Registration HERE
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Date: November 7 and 8, 2023, from 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM EST
Register By: October 31, 2023
ESF-8 Region 2
Region 2 Pandemic Influenza Tabletop Exercise Registration
Region 2 is offering a Pandemic Influenza tabletop exercise. This exercise is scheduled for delivery on December 8, 2023, and will be held in-person in Branford.
Register HERE
Location: Branford Fire Department, 45 N. Main St Branford, CT 06405
Date: December 8, 2023, from 8:30 AM - 12 PM EST
Register By: November 17, 2023
The Center for Rural Development
AWR 232-V: Mass Fatalities Planning & Response for Rural Communities
The Center for Rural Development is offering a virtual delivery of AWR 232-V: Mass Fatalities Planning & Response for Rural Communities. This course is scheduled for delivery on December 12 and 13, 2023. The instructor-led awareness level course is designed to prepare rural first responders and officials with the basic knowledge, skills and abilities to manage a mass fatality incident impacting their jurisdiction. Target audience includes first responders, coroners/medical examiners, public health officials, and others with responsibilities during a mass fatality incident. Issues addressed include establishing roles and responsibilities, assets management, remains processing and identification, diversity issues and development of a mass fatality plan that affect the construct of a mass fatality response.
See the Training Announcement and Registration HERE
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Date: December 12 and and 13, 2023, from 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM EST
Register By: October 31, 2023
All Clear Emergency Management Group has the following upcoming free webinars:
CONTACT US
Email your coalition coordinators at Coordinator@CTHCC.org with questions, comments, or to assist you with any of your preparedness needs.