Mission
To enhance coalition member readiness throughout the emergency management cycle of preparedness, response, recovery, and prevention/mitigation.
Vision
Provide a coordinated and timely (interoperable and synchronized) response across the healthcare continuum, meeting the health and medical needs of the community in an emergency.
What We Do
The purpose of the South Central Healthcare Coalition is to systematically enhance regional medical response capabilities needed to prevent, respond, and recover from any event that significantly impacts health and medical resources through: strong interagency collaboration and communication; the identification of capability-based needs and priorities; and the efficient and effective use of existing resources. This is primarily accomplished by promoting emergency preparedness, planning and conducting training exercises, and coordinating support among regional medical response system partners within the coalition’s geographic boundaries.
Who We Are
The SCHCC is comprised of a network of key partners from across the South Central Region. Our members include hospitals, public health departments, emergency medical services, behavioral health organizations and other healthcare partners working with emergency management. Collaboratively, they conduct preparedness planning in order to respond to significant incidents impacting health and medical resources. When conducting response activities, partner agencies furnish emergency support function (ESF) #8 capabilities.
Leadership
Co-Chair – Sara Baird, CommonSpirit Health Emergency Preparedness & Fire-Life Safety Educator
Co-Chair – Bart Evans, PPROEM EM Specialist
Program Administrator – Kara Prisock
Program Specialist – Kristopher Parsons
Clinical Advisor – Dr. Joseph Kelly
OUR REGION
South Central Healthcare Coalition embraces a regional approach with Chaffee, El Paso, Lake, Park, and Teller Counties.
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
The SCHCC is governed by a cross-disciplinary elected group of representatives that serve on the executive council. The Executive Council was established to provide guidance and strategic direction to the SCHCC. If functions as an advisory board, working collaboratively, to ensure that operational capabilities, scope of work requirements (as directed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response), and coordination of activities align with the goals and objectives of the coalition. Further, they ensure that the coalition is represented at state-level healthcare coalition council meetings and national healthcare preparedness conferences.
Executive Council vacancies are filled at the next regularly scheduled steering committee meeting provided at least two weeks’ notice is given to the membership. Elected representatives must complete at a minimum the FEMA Introduction to Incident Command System ICS-100 and National Incident Management System ICS-700.
MEMBERS AND PARTNERS
South Central Healthcare Coalition members play an integral role in healthcare coalition development and planning initiatives. The SCHCC strives to build a membership body that is inclusive and representative of the system and diverse region in which the coalition and its members operate. Diversity within the healthcare coalition promotes an integrated community response and serves to strengthen the healthcare system as a whole.
The SCHCC places a strong emphasis on engaging all regional partners within the healthcare system continuum. This includes representation from the four core disciplines as outlined by the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR):
- Emergency Management
- Emergency Medical Services
- Hospitals
- Public Health
In addition, the coalition has strong participation from additional key members within the health and medical response community including, but not limited to:
- Behavioral Health
- Ancillary Healthcare (e.g., long-term care, dialysis, skilled nursing, etc.)
- Community Health Centers
- Volunteer Organizations (e.g., American Red Cross, voluntary organizations active in disaster, etc.)
In an effort to further promote collaboration, the SCHCC has strong relationships with state emergency preparedness and response partners, including: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), South Central Region All-Hazards Emergency Management, and the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM).
Membership is free and open to any and all health and medical partners within the region, including those that support the health and medical field. If you are interested in becoming a member, please complete our contact form.