Emergency Preparedness

Given Hawaii’s geographic location – situated at the crossroads to Asia – and our state’s role in international tourist transit, we are particularly vulnerable to the introduction (and rapid spread) of potentially lethal influenza. The number of critical military and naval installations in Hawaii also makes a potential bioterrorism attack more likely than in other states.

In addition, a variety of natural emergencies including hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic eruption, and flooding, present a complex and costly preparedness challenge for health centers.

The patients served by the CHCs are primarily from medically-underserved communities, low-income families, homeless, ethnic minority, and immigrant populations. During a global pandemic or in the aftermath of a bioterrorism attack, as with any other public health emergency, these populations would be particularly vulnerable to the worst ravages of the crisis.

Planning for business continuity and resumption of operations requires a fundamental understanding of and agreement on the kinds of services to be provided post-disaster or hazard event. After consultations with various statewide planning entities it has been determined that, in a post-disaster period, Community Health Centers will be expected to maintain their existing outpatient care.

CHCs should also anticipate providing some ancillary patient care service related to:

• First aid
• Disaster injury triage
• Psychological first aid

CHCs will also need to approach these expectations of being a first responder with caution and work to educate patients on the appropriate post-disaster venues for critical and outpatient care.

For rural CHCs there must be collaboration between first responders within the community and an understanding of post-disaster protocols.

A statewide assessment that will underscore the need for sufficient funding support for activities including planning, patient educational materials, staff training, communications equipment, pandemic supply kits, and other preparedness needs is being prepared by HPCA and its partners.

Emergency Preparedness Resource Page
Click here to view the emergency preparedness resource page.

For additional information contact Matthew Nagato