September 07, 2023

If there is a lesson to be learned from this past year, it should be the importance of being prepared for disasters and emergencies – both here at TriHealth and at home. From severe weather events, such as tornadoes and blizzards, to the wide-ranging impacts of a global health pandemic, we know the importance of having a plan for disasters for our hospitals and health system as well as at home for our family. 

September is National Preparedness Month, providing an opportune time for you and your family to review, refresh or create your individual emergency plan to be ready and prepared if disaster strikes. 

Not sure where to start? The Department of Homeland Security’s Ready.gov site recommends using the next few weeks to focus on your plan. 

• Week 1: How will you/your family receive emergency alerts/warnings?
  Discuss with family and friends how you will communicate before, during and after a disaster.  Include an alternative location for shelters/evacuations.
  • Get Tech Ready
  • See the EM Webpage for links to your local Emergency Management Agency to sign up for Alerts and/or SMART911
    Emergency Management | Bridge and Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency

• Week 2: Consider specific needs in your household
  Gather supplies for your emergency kit that will last for several days for everyone in your home, including the unique needs of family members (medications, cultural) in the case of a quick evacuation. Don’t forget to include your pets too!
  
  

• Week 3: Prepare for Disasters – Make a Family Emergency Plan
  • Fillable form 
  • Build a Kit 
    
    
• Week 4: Practice your plan with your family
  Get your kids involved by talking to them about what to do in case you are separated. Document/safeguard your critical documents.
  •  Ready.gov/kids
  •  Critical documents

TriHealth’s Emergency Management team leads our system in ensuring our hospital teams, facilities and emergency plans are properly prepared, equipped and ready for emergency situations. The Emergency Management team has also included external resources for TriHealth team members to use as they make their own personalized preparedness plan, including:

• Red Cross App for your mobile device. This app allows you to add family in other cities/states across the US and receive alerts for those locations.
• FEMA App for your mobile device. This app also allows you to add family members from across the US and customize the alerts you receive.
• TriHealth Alert System. This new emergency notification tool was introduced earlier this year to provide TriHealth team members with more effective and reliable emergency alerts. Team members can customize for text, voicemail and additional email notifications. Learn more on Bridge. 

For more information or questions please email Kay Vonderschmidt or Emer_Mgt@TriHealth.com or visit the Emergency Management team page on Bridge.