VHEMP Statewide Communication Test 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season
2023-05-30 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York)
The Virginia Healthcare Emergency Management Program, in cooperation with the Office of Emergency Preparedness of the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association, will conduct a
statewide communication test.
Your regional healthcare coalition will provide additional details of the communication test; please contact them directly with any questions or concerns regarding methods of coordination or VHASS account troubleshooting.
We hope you can join us and participate on May 30 in preparations for the 2023 hurricane season!

VDH HAI/AR Webinar: CDC and CMS COVID-19 Updated Guidance for Infection Prevention in Healthcare Facilities
2023-06-14 12:00 - 13:00
Dear healthcare colleagues,
You are invited to a Virginia Department of Health (VDH) webinar on June 14th, 12-1PM: CDC and CMS COVID-19 Updated Guidance for Infection Prevention in Healthcare Facilities
During this free webinar, members of the VDH’s Healthcare-Associated Infections & Antimicrobial Resistance Program will review the latest CDC and CMS COVID-19 guidance regarding infection prevention and control and reporting requirements.
Register in advance for this meeting: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItc-uhrjorEx0rbUB4Wz8bv47eVKugELE
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
The webinar will be recorded and slides posted on the HAI/AR website. No CE credits will be provided.
Thank you,
The VDH HAI/AR Program

2023 Virginia Behavioral Health Summit
2023-06-22 | The Westin Richmond, 6631 W Broad St, Richmond, VA, 23230, United States

CISA Active Shooter Preparedness Webinar
2023-07-13 13:00 - 14:30
Thursday, July 13, 2023
1:00 p.m. EDT
THIS IS NOT A TACTICAL TRAINING COURSE
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), CISA Region 3 (District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia) invites you to join a two-hour security webinar. This webinar provides information and best practices that supports and enhances the emergency action planning capabilities of your organization.
Preparing employees for a potential active shooter event is an integral component of an organization’s incident response planning. Because active shooter incidents are unpredictable and evolve quickly, preparing for and knowing what to do in an active shooter situation can be the difference between life and death. Every second counts.
Objectives:
 Provide information about best practices, communications protocols, and resources that will assist stakeholders to develop or enhance their emergency planning, preparedness, and response to active shooter incidents.
 Discuss the elements of active shooter incident response planning with guidance from expert instructors.
 Describe common behaviors, conditions, and situations associated with active shooter events.
 Discuss how to recognize potential workplace violence indicators.
Understanding Liability and Risk Exposure:
The webinar focuses on providing awareness training that supports the development of emergency action planning capabilities. These capabilities may better position organizations in receiving important legal liability protections from the DHS Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies (SAFETY) Act of 2002. To learn more about the SAFETY Act and the types of products, services, and layered security programs that have received protections, visit www.safetyact.gov.
Who Should Participate?
 Private and public organizations
 Corporate and facility security professionals
 Supervisory first responders
 Human resource managers
 Community response officials
 Health organizations
 Faith-based leaders
 School administrators and security officers
 Homeland security representatives
 For information and resources visit: cisa.gov/topics/physical-security/active-shooter-preparedness.
 Products and information can be requested by email at ASworkshop@cisa.dhs.gov.
Note: The information (link) to connect the day of the webinar will be available after you register. The link will also be sent by email.

Lessons Learned from Guam Preparedness and Disability Integration
2023-07-17 18:00 - 19:00
This virtual offering will highlight key lessons learned, successes, and takeaways gathered from the 2023 stakeholder meeting of the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services, the University of Guam CEDDARS, the government of Guam, and the disability community.

Preparing for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)-Related Emergencies Among People Experiencing Homelessness
2023-07-20 14:00 - 15:30
Hear from local jurisdictions that have successfully updated emergency plans to address this population and learn about focus group findings, tools, and resources to support this work.

Introducing New Approaches to Enhance Power Outage Support for Life Support Users
2023-07-26 12:00 - 13:00
This virtual offering will brief attendees about the significant increase in power outages and their impact on in-home life support users, explain current barriers for life support users when navigating and surviving power outages, and introduce the Louisiana Department of Health’s (LDH) Power Outage Partners pilot and the range of other approaches jurisdictions can employ to increase power outage support for life support users.

Maintaining Patient Access to Care in Rural America
2023-08-08 14:00 - 15:00
The webinar will focus on the implementation and successes of the AZ REACH program, which serves as a patient transfer system that can be quickly mobilized during a variety of public health events.

Workshop on Preparing for Future Public Health Emergencies
2023-08-10 - 2023-08-11
The objectives of the joint workshop include identifying strategies and promising practices for detecting new and emerging threats, enhancing public health infrastructure and workforce, improving legal and administrative preparedness, tackling increasingly concurrent emergencies.

Hazard Mitigation Assistance Resilience Webinar 2: Extreme Heat #SummerReady
2023-08-16 14:00 - 15:30
Please join us for the second in a series of Extreme Heat Webinars hosted by FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance to discuss what extreme heat is, federal efforts to address the issue, and identify funding and mitigation projects to mitigate extreme heat.
A recording of the webinar will be available on this page following the session.

First Webinar (July 12, 2023)
Watch the recording of this session

We Must Maintain Measles Elimination in the United States: Measles Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Prevention
2023-08-17 14:00 - 15:00
The United States has maintained the elimination of measles, defined as the absence of continuous disease transmission for ≥12 months, since 2000. However, measles cases can occur when people travel to and from the United States, especially when travelers are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated against measles. Maintaining measles elimination in the United States requires continued investment in the measles vaccination program which was instrumental to achieving elimination. Health care providers and public health authorities need to remain vigilant to rapidly recognize measles and take steps to mitigate spread within communities for continued measles elimination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges all healthcare providers to ensure their patients are up to date on the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR vaccine). Healthcare providers should consider measles as a diagnosis in anyone with fever (≥101°F or 38.3°C) and a generalized maculopapular rash with cough, coryza, or conjunctivitis who has recently been abroad, especially in countries with ongoing outbreaks.
During this COCA Call, presenters will discuss the history of measles in the United States, review clinical presentation and diagnosis of measles infection, review how to report suspected cases to public health agencies, and outline recommendations for measles vaccination in the United States.

Presenters
Adria Mathis, MSPH
Epidemiologist
Division of Viral Diseases
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Dan Filardo, MD
Medical Officer
Division of Viral Diseases
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Stephen Crooke, PhD
Lead Research Microbiologist
Division of Viral Diseases
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(Open to All) Upcoming All-Hazards Hospital Essential Elements of Information Listening Sessions
2023-08-21 14:00 - 15:00
Background: To date, there has been a limited unified, all-hazards understanding of national-level hospital facility status, capacity, resources, and capabilities. Existing efforts have included the COVID-19/influenza/bed occupancy hospital data, ad-hoc surveys performed after incidents such as hurricanes, targeted surveillance systems for specific communicable diseases and/or specific types of care (ex., ED visits), and individual efforts within jurisdictions. While each existing effort has been successful independently, collection efforts are patchwork, often created during the crisis, and not standardized with different essential elements of information (EEIs) that are not optimally coordinated for driving action. In other words, a comprehensive, standardized view of the healthcare system’s state that can be shared across partners at all levels does not yet exist. Our mission is to develop a national, vendor-neutral, all-hazards standard set of EEIs and collection mechanisms for hospital data that drive action for all-hazards emergency preparedness and response.
Intent: To host multiple phased listening sessions to seek input across healthcare on hospitals’ all-hazards EEIs, helping to identify the most effective path forward. This is a nationwide effort co-led by ASPR, CDC, CMS, and ONC, where input is critical to ensure success. Stakeholders will include jurisdictions, hospital associations, hospitals, health care coalitions, medical operations coordination centers, transfer centers, health care coalitions, nurses, EMS, health IT, and more.

"Mental Health, Self-Care and Burnout at Free and Charitable Clinics" - Restoring the Healthcare Workforce for Equity
2023-08-23 14:00 - 15:00
What is mental health and why does this matter? Join NAFC Director of Strategic Initiatives Ariana Gordillo De Vivero for a conversation on the importance of mental health, self-care and burnout affecting providers, volunteers and staff in healthcare settings. We’ll get personal, we’ll laugh, and maybe even cry – but that’s the point! This session will take a look at the toll that the past couple of years may have taken on our mental health, from the perspective of Free and Charitable Clinics. The objective of this presentation is to create a safe space and take an introspective look at building a culture where our mental health is as important as our physical health. Tangible ideas and tools that leaders may use within their own organizations to promote self-care and wellbeing will also be provided. Guest Speaker: Ariana Gordillo De Vivero, Director of Strategic Initiatives at the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) This training is hosted by Healthcare Ready in partnership with the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) through the Restoring the Healthcare Workforce for Equity program. The program aims to help healthcare workers and advocates to achieve greater support and resources as communities hardest hit by COVID-19 continue to navigate recovery. Funding for the program is provided by the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) COVID-19 Response Fund, which provides support for nonprofit organizations working directly to respond to the pandemic among vulnerable populations to help build their capacity and address the most pressing needs. For more information, please reach out to research@healthcareready.org.

Register for High School Dual Enrollment Program Webinar on August 24 at 11 a.m.
2023-08-24 11:00 - 12:00
Join VHHA in this webinar entitled “High School Dual Enrollment Programs: Readying Students for the Healthcare Workforce” to learn about existing high school dual enrollment programs in Virginia, and ways to partner with your local community college to support these programs in your community.
Dual Enrollment programs allow eligible high-school students to enroll in college coursework while still in high school. Courses are taught by full- or part-time faculty who meet VCCS credentialing requirements. Students may apply the course credits towards their degree or certificate program, reducing the average time to completion and future college expenses. Students who want to work immediately after high school graduation can easily transition to hospital jobs, having completed one of several offered certificate programs either during high school or in the months following graduation. Dual enrollment programs are one way students are exposed to healthcare careers and have opportunities to engage with local employers about their interest in healthcare.
Presenters for this discussion include:

Dr. Sheri Robertson, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Policy & Instructional Support Services, Virginia Community College System
Dr. Kathy Beard, Dual Enrollment Coordinator at Virginia Western Community College
Dr. Pattie Lawson, RN, Dean of Reynolds Community College School of Health Professions

Register for the webinar through this link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2156873909886987094
Please contact Sharon Alexander with any questions at salexander@vhha.com

(Hospital focused session) Upcoming All-Hazards Hospital Essential Elements of Information Listening Sessions
2023-08-24 12:00 - 13:00

VDEM L0105 – Public Information Basics (Newport News)
2023-09-06 08:00 - 2023-09-08 17:00
Dates: September 6-8, 2023
Times: 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Christopher Newport University, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Newport News, VA 23606
To Register: Click here https://covlc.virginia.gov
Deadline to register is August 23, 2023
This course is part of the National Emergency Management Basic Academy and will count towards
the completion of this program. It replaces the previous two-day version of the L0105 Public
Information and Warning course and the G290 Basic Public Information Officer course. The goal of
this course is to enhance the jurisdiction’s public information and warning core capability and will
consider the value of communication before, during and after an incident. It will also help PIOs
identify critical audiences, both internal and external.
This course is intended for newly appointed emergency managers from State, local, tribal,
territorial, and Federal emergency management agencies, and prospective professionals
transferring from another discipline to emergency management.
Required prerequisite: FEMA – Emergency Management Institute (EMI) Course | IS-29.A: Public
Information Officer Awareness. Please do not submit your certificate until asked to do so.
Registration Instructions: Registration will be done electronically via the Commonwealth of
Virginia Learning Center at: https://covlc.virginia.gov/. Deadline to register is August 23, 2023.
If you need help or have questions, please contact the Help Desk via email:
LMSHelp@vdem.virginia.gov
Course Manager: Candice Brown, candice.brown@vdem.virginia.gov, 804-385-7487

VDEM L0102 – Science of Disasters (Lynchburg)
2023-09-12 08:00 - 2023-09-14 17:00
WHEN: September 12th-14th, 2023 from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
WHERE: Liberty University Conference Center
3700 Candlers Mountain Road
Lynchburg, VA 24502
DETAILS: This course provides participants with an overview of scientific principles and concepts that come into play in the management of a wide range of disasters. Emergency management professionals should have a baseline understanding of biological, chemical, and weather-related event. Students will learn the science behind. The registration link is as follows: https://covlc.virginia.gov/Default.aspx
COURSE MANAGER: Candice Brown, candice.brown@vdem.virginia.gov, (804) 267-7686

2023 A2HA Finance Fall Conference
2023-09-13 08:00 - 2023-09-22 17:00
VHHA-2023 A2HA Finance Meeting
Start Date: Wednesday, September 13, 2023
End Date: Friday, September 22, 2023
Last Day to Book: Friday, August 25, 2023

National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians - EMS World Expo
2023-09-18 - 2023-09-22
Our Story Continues in The Big Easy
September 18-22⎟ New Orleans

Now in its 35th year, EMS World Expo returns to The Big Easy with a continued focus on achieving better patient outcomes through better education. For 5 days, thousands of EMS professionals from hundreds of agencies across the globe will unite to engage in real-world training, participate in ground-breaking education, and connect with fellow attendees.
The combination of world-class education, expert faculty, and an unparalleled exhibit hall make this an event that simply cannot be missed. Join your EMS world in New Orleans this September.

2023 Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Conference
2023-09-27 - 2023-09-29
Join VHHA, hospital and health system leaders, and other health care stakeholders in the Roanoke Valley for the Association’s annual membership conference! The action-packed and informative itinerary includes a welcome reception for hospital team members to engage with colleagues from across the Commonwealth, informative breakout sessions focusing on clinical and quality improvement, government affairs, and workforce development, an awards luncheon honoring health care leaders, and a reception at the Taubman Museum of Art. Programming will center around excellence and innovation in health care delivery, including a focus on workforce advancement and the impact of artificial intelligence.
If you work for a VHHA member, register now for a discounted ticket price of $375! Member ticket price will go up to $450 on July 1.
Ticket price includes all meals and two evening receptions, as well as access to world-class programming and continuing education credits.
If you need registration assistance, please contact Tia Gray at tgray@vhha.com.

VHEMP Webinar VSP & FBI - HazMat/Terrorism Response
2023-10-25 12:00 - 13:00 | GoToWebinar
The Virginia Healthcare Emergency Management Program (VHEMP) -a partnership between the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA) and the four Regional Healthcare Coalitions -is hosting a one-hour webinar on October 25th at Noon (12:00pm) featuring representatives of the Virginia State Police Special Investigations and Programs Division Counter-Terrorism Section and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Weapons of Mass Destruction Coordinator Program. The webinar will focus on each agencies’ response to a terrorism event which produces a HazMat situation, and how this will affect the community and healthcare system in the Commonwealth.

Software Tools for Triage of the Acute Radiation Syndrome: A Practical Workshop
2023-11-07 - 2023-11-10
November 7-10, 2023
Registration and agenda available
Pollard Technology Conference Center
210 Badger Avenue
Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830
During this workshop, speakers will describe the purpose and function of software tools developed by scientific groups within NATO. These tools either allow an integrated estimation of dose (BAT, WinFRAT), or the prediction of ARS severity based on changes in blood cell counts (H-module) in the first days after an exposure to ionizing radiation. You will be introduced to these tools primarily by those who developed them, so that you will receive first-hand knowledge about their strengths and limitations.
The workshop is for civilian or military personnel with a medical background or those dealing with medical decision-making in the field of radiological or nuclear threats.

VDEM L0146 – Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program – HSEEP (Lynchburg)
2023-11-15 08:00 - 2023-11-16 17:00
WHEN: November 15th-16th, 2023 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
WHERE: Liberty University Conference Center
3700 Candlers Mountain Road
Lynchburg, VA 24502
COURSE DETAILS: This course provides a comprehensive overview of exercise design along with practical skill development in accordance with the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) Doctrine. This course uses activities that will give participants an opportunity to interact with many of the templates and other materials that are provided by the National Exercise Division to ensure exercises are conducted in a consistent manner. Please got to this link to register for the course at: https://covlc.virginia.gov/Default.aspx
***Note: The course is not yet approved by FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute to be hosted in the Commonwealth of Virginia until the start of the federal fiscal year 2024, which will begin October 1st, 2023. Registration for this course through the EMI website will not be accessible until at least October 1st, 2023.***
COURSE MANAGER: Candice Brown, candice.brown@vdem.virginia.gov, (804) 267-7686

National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC)
2023-11-28 10:00 - 11:00
Argentinian and Bolivian Hemorrhagic Fevers
During this webinar, guest presenters will describe the epidemiology of cases, risk factors, clinical presentations and management, and review a public health program model for arenavirus control.

Exploratory and Inferential Spatial Statistical Methods: Tools to Understand the Geography of Health Across the U.S.
2023-11-28 13:00 - 14:00
National Institute of Health (NIH)
This webinar aims to present various statistical methods needed for researchers, policy makers, health officials, and community members to better understand the importance of neighborhoods on health and social outcomes, with a focus on health inequities.

PPE from A to Z: N95s and Respiratory Protection
2023-11-29 13:00 - 14:00
NETEC
Panelists will discuss the role of N95s in protecting health care workers, how to perform fit testing, and what to know about maintaining compliance

Behavioral Health Integration Webinar Series: Nuts and Bolts of Delivering Effective Cultural Programs in Integrated Care Clinics
2023-11-30 12:00 - 13:00
Indian Health Services (IHS)
This webinar will focus on the building blocks of effective cultural programs delivered in American Indian/Alaska Native clinics

NBSB Public Meeting
2023-11-30 12:30 - 16:00
National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB)
The NBSB will discuss and vote on two sets of recommendations related to COVID-19 pandemic lessons, Project NextGen vaccine and therapeutic products, and disaster preparedness training.

VHEMP Webinar | National Weather Service – Winter Weather Briefing
2023-12-04 12:00 - 13:00 | GoToWebinar
The Virginia Healthcare Emergency Management Program (VHEMP) – a partnership between the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA) and the four Regional Healthcare Coalitions – is hosting a one-hour webinar on December 4th at Noon (12:00pm) featuring Eric Seymour, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service (NWS). The briefing will focus on the 2023 – 2024 winter weather outlook and available NWS resources to assist in readiness and response.

Waterborne Infectious Disease Burden and Recreational Water-Associated Illness in the U.S.
2023-12-04 14:00 - 15:00
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)
Join Shanna Miko, DNP, MPH, and Michele Hlavsa, RN, MPH of the CDC to learn about the latest research on the burden of waterborne infectious disease, with a particular focus on estimates and prevention of recreational water-associated illness.
