Montana Primary Care Association

The Montana Primary Care Association assists community health centers and Urban Indian Organizations with developing and maintaining an effective and appropriate emergency management strategy to respond to an event affecting the overall target population and/or the community at large. The preparedness program needs to align with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) expectations. Strategies include; developing and implementing an emergency management plan, building existing and growing new relationships at the local, state and national level, enhancing effective and efficient communications, and ensuring that the health center can effectively operate during and after an emergency.

Emergencies, such as wildfires, floods, infectious disease outbreaks and other threats can disrupt the environment of care or change the demand for the health center’s services making it essential for health centers to ensure that emergency management is integrated into its daily functions and values.

Montana CHCs and UIOs can contact state preparedness partners to be part of an emergency notification system, and for training updates and information on regional coalition activities.