Emergency Preparedness
The Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts is committed to supporting home health and hospice agencies in planning for and responding to emergencies of all kinds. This Emergency Preparedness Resource Center provides tools, checklists, training materials, regulations, and real-time disaster response resources to ensure your staff, clients, and organization are prepared before, during, and after an emergency.
Below, resources are organized by topic to help you quickly find what you need.
Infectious Disease & PPE Resources
- Hand Hygiene for Healthcare Workers – CDC Guidelines for effective hand hygiene in clinical settings.
- How to Don & Doff PPE Step-by-step video demonstration on proper use of PPE.
- Respirator Safety Instructions on fit testing, safety procedures, and usage protocols.
- CDC Infection Control for Healthcare Providers Comprehensive infection control strategies and updates.
- CDC Infection Control Basics Foundational practices for preventing the spread of infection.
- CDC Guidelines and Guidance Library
Disaster Mapping & Response Tools
Disaster Mapping & Response Tools
• HHS emPOWER Map
A GIS-based tool that:
- Identifies individuals dependent on electricity-powered medical equipment
- Integrates with real-time severe weather alerts
- Supports emergency response planning in home-based care
CMS Regulations & Training
- CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule
Federal preparedness requirements for Medicare and Medicaid providers. - CMS Emergency Preparedness Website
Central hub for CMS training, compliance tools, and regulatory updates.
"Provides comprehensive information, tools, and training resources to help healthcare providers meet federal preparedness requirements and ensure continuity of care during disasters." - Appendix-Z State Operations Manual Interpretaive Guidance
Detailed explanations of CMS survey protocols and expectations. - CMS Online Emergency Preparedness Training
Self-paced training modules for staff and leadership.- To access: Visit CMS Course Catalog and search for “emergency.”
Additional Emergency Preparedness Resources
- ASPR TRACIE
Resources from HHS including templates, planning guides, and webinars for healthcare providers and coalitions. - Ready.gov – FEMA’s National Preparedness Site
Actionable resources for disaster readiness (including COOP planning, floods, power outages, wildfires, and more). - CDC Emergency Preparedness & Response
Guidance on pandemic response, bioterrorism, and all-hazard planning for healthcare providers. - National Weather Service (NWS) – Safety & Alerts
Real-time weather alerts and emergency planning resources for extreme weather events. - American Red Cross – Disaster Preparedness for Caregivers
Emergency preparedness materials for caregivers and families, including checklists and planning tools.