Emergency Preparedness

Information | Terrorism & Disaster Preparedness Self Assessment

Demonstrating the EMSRB’s commitment to protecting the public, the EMSRB’s regional field EMS Specialists have long been involved with disaster planning and emergency preparedness exercising. After the terrorist events of September 11, 2001, EMSRB activity in this area increased dramatically. Since 2002, the agency’s field EMS Specialists have served as active participants on the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) eight Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Planning (BHPP) committees. Funding for the BHPP committee work is provided through the Health Resource Services Administration (HRSA) Grant to MDH. The following year, the EMSRB agreed to collaborate with MDH Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP) to administer Priority Area #3 of the HRSA Grant. EMSRB staff members play a key role in Minnesota’s emergency preparedness planning.

HRSA Hospital Preparedness Grant Priority Area #3: Emergency Medical Services

Critical Benchmark: Enhance the statewide mutual aid plan for upgrading and deploying EMS units in jurisdictions/regions they do not normally cover, in response to a mass casualty incident due to terrorism. This plan must ensure the capability of providing EMS triage and transportation of at least 500 adult and pediatric patients per million population.

Initial work on Priority Area #3 of the HRSA grant included an EMS terrorism preparedness self-assessment. Results of those assessments, other emergency planning documents, and links to other emergency planning partners are available below.