GADSDEN– Etowah County EMA is highlighting partnerships that help hospitals and emergency responders prepare together before a disaster strains medical services.

Through the Northeastern Healthcare Coalition, the agency works with healthcare providers, emergency services, and other organizations across 11 counties. The goal is to build working relationships and practice emergency plans before partners need them during a crisis.

When a tornado, flood, or other emergency strikes, hospitals can fill quickly. Patients may also need to move to another facility, while power or water interruptions can complicate care.

The coalition brings those concerns into shared planning, training, and exercises. In addition to hospitals and ambulance services, partners include emergency management, public health, police, fire, utilities, dialysis centers, and behavioral health providers.

Local Training Builds Regional Readiness

The coalition’s October newsletter documents an Aug. 10 Stop the Bleed training session in partnership with Etowah County EMA. Participants learned how to recognize and respond to life-threatening bleeding before first responders arrive.

Later that month, the coalition joined local organizations at the Southside Community Outreach Health Fair. The Aug. 19 event connected residents with information about healthcare resources and services available in the area.

Regional partners also practiced planning for people with medical needs during an emergency. A Sept. 24 tabletop exercise in Blount County brought healthcare and emergency management partners together to discuss medical needs shelter coordination.

Meanwhile, the newsletter identifies Etowah County EMA’s Keshawn Long as chair of the coalition’s executive committee. Long also serves on its training and exercise subcommittee.

The executive committee formed three subcommittees at its Aug. 12 meeting. Their responsibilities cover training and exercises, budget oversight, and planning.

The newsletter also lists Attalla City Schools and the Etowah County Coroner among new coalition members, along with Voice & Value Health Advocacy Foundation.

Partnerships Across 11 Counties

The coalition serves Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, DeKalb, Etowah, Randolph, Shelby, St. Clair, and Talladega counties.

Its work also gives members a way to share scarce resources, strengthen information sharing, and access healthcare expertise during disasters. The October newsletter includes additional information about the coalition’s training, committees, and regional activities.

Residents can also prepare for disruptions in their own medical care. EMA encourages people to keep extra medicine on hand, carry a list of prescriptions and doctors, and plan for medical equipment that requires electricity.

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