WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded the Iowa Department of Public Health a $4,113,883 grant through the Hospital Preparedness Program.
“It is very important for hospitals to have a well planned strategy in the event of an emergency or attack,” Grassley said. “As one of the leading producers of the nation’s food, it’s important that Iowans be prepared for acts of agroterroism and other sorts of emergencies. These funds will help ensure Iowa’s hospitals are prepared.”
The Iowa Department of Public Health must use the funds to help pay for the following capabilities: an interoperable communication system, bed tracking system, emergency system for the advance registration of volunteer health professionals, fatality management plans and hospital evacuation plans. The funds may be optionally used to pay for the following capabilities: alternate care sites, mobile medical assets, pharmaceutical caches, personal protective equipment and decontamination. The funds must incorporate the National Incident Management System, education and preparedness training and exercises, evaluations and corrective actions into the development and maintenance of all capabilities.
The Hospital Preparedness Program enhances the ability of hospitals and health care systems to prepare for and respond to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies. The program supports priorities established by the National Preparedness Goal established by the Department of Homeland Security in 2005.
