Emergency Preparedness

New Hampshire hospitals are a critical element within the state’s disaster medical response system and work collaboratively with local government, other health care providers and state, regional and local agencies to plan, prepare for and respond to disasters, bioterrorism, and other public health emergencies, like the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospital emergency preparedness is a priority for government at all levels, as well as a key focus of regulatory and accrediting agencies. Hospitals must respond to increasing preparedness standards and activities, while simultaneously providing effective service to their communities.

To ensure a comprehensive, statewide response to residents’ health needs in an emergency, the NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) selected the Granite State Health Care Coalition, an initiative of the Foundation for Healthy Communities, to coordinate emergency response and recovery efforts by health care organizations for the state of New Hampshire. Awarded in 2017, this grant funds hospital emergency preparedness activities through the Hospital Preparedness Program under the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  GSHCC carries forward the 15-year history of work of the New Hampshire Hospital Association in support of emergency preparedness and create an even more comprehensive network of health care partners, public health agencies and emergency management officials to enhance emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts in the state.

The Granite State Health Care Coalition (GSHCC) is funded by a grant through the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS) from the United States department of health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). The GSHCC is a statewide network of key representatives from public and private health and safety organizations that help communities prepare, respond, and recover from incidents impacting the New Hampshire healthcare system. The GSHCC serves as a direct support to the State Emergency Support Function-8 (ESF-8). The NH DHHS Emergency Services Unit (ESU) serves as the ESF-8 lead for the State of New Hampshire.

 

Granite State Health Care Coalition Team

Scott Nichols, Senior Director
(603) 415-4299

 

Shaylin Lipman, Program Coordinator
(603) 415-4263

 

Dakota Hayes, Health Care Planner
(603) 415-4265

 

Victoria Paige, Exercise & Training Officer
(603) 415-4298

 

Please contact us for additional information about any of our projects at [email protected].