The purpose of the Nebraska Regional Medical Response Systems is to bring together hospitals, public health, fire, law enforcement, emergency management, behavioral health, EMS, government entities and community organizations for an integrated medical response to any disaster that threatens the health and well-being of the public or causes a surge capacity situation. The Medical Response Systems act as catalysts to facilitate communication and cooperation among entities to enhance planning, prevention, response, recovery and mitigation efforts, whether the disaster is natural, manmade, biological or terrorist in nature.
Regionally located, the state of Nebraska has seven such Medical Response Systems, two metropolitan and five rural. Please see the section “Contact Us” for more information and a map. Each Medical Response System is governed by a steering committee and has its own subcommittees. Funding is provided by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services with monies secured through federal Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness program.
Goals are developed at the federal level, at the state level and at the regional level. Common initiatives and activities include:
· Education and training
· Regional and local exercises
· Development of organizational and regional emergency operations plans
· Enhancement of interoperable communications
· Development and sponsorship of Medical Reserve Corps units
· Purchase of equipment, supplies and pharmaceuticals
· Development of agreements for resource sharing and allocation
· Relationship development
· Collaboration with other systems
· Provision of education to decision makers about issues that affect
response capabilities
For more information, please contact a Medical Response System Coordinator.