HAP's 2025 Emergency Management Conference

Registration and Networking
 

Conference Begins | Welcome 
Christopher Chamberlain, MS, RN, CHEP, Vice President, Emergency Management, The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania
 

Best Practices, Real-World Applications, and Overcoming Challenges for Hospital Decontamination and Hospital Emergency Response Team
Moderator: Christopher Chamberlain, MS, RN, CHEP, Vice President, Emergency Management, The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania

Panelists: 

• Michael Whalen, BSN, President, Emergency Educators LLC
• Robert Gibson, BSN, RN, EMT-P, Manager Emergency Preparedness and Response, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Jefferson Hospital/Canonsburg Hospital, Allegheny Health Network
• Jack Welsh BSN, RN, CEN, Clinical Nurse III, Emergency Preparedness Specialist, Emergency Department, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
• Thaddeus Kavanagh, Supervisor, Public Safety-Emergency Management, Main Line Health System

In an era of increasing threats—ranging from hazardous materials incidents to mass exposure events—hospital-based decontamination (Decon) and Hospital Emergency Response Team (HERT) training are essential components of preparedness. This panel discussion brings together emergency management professionals to share best practices, real-world applications, and common challenges related to Decon and HERT training. Panelists will explore strategies for effective team development, training frequency, equipment readiness, and interdepartmental coordination. They’ll also address barriers such as staff engagement, training fatigue, and resource limitations. Attendees will gain practical insights and take-home strategies for strengthening their own hospital’s response capabilities and sustaining a high level of operational readiness.
 

Innovative Approaches to Emergency Management and Department Surge Capacity

• Michael Kubecki, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Forbes Hospital
• Zachary Allan, MHA, MSN, RN, CEN, PHRN, ED, Director of Critical Care and Emergency Services, Forbes Hospital
• Mike Taramelli, Trauma Director, Forbes Hospital

With rising patient volumes and bed shortages placing increasing strain on emergency departments, preparedness for mass casualty incidents (MCIs) is more vital than ever. Forbes Hospital’s Emergency Operations Committee has developed and implemented a comprehensive Tiered MCI Plan designed to rapidly decompress the emergency department during a surge. This hospital-wide plan outlines clear roles for leadership and support departments, including environmental services, dietary, laboratory, radiology, transportation, security, and social services. Using a three-tier activation system based on patient volume, the plan ensures a scalable, coordinated response. This session will share actionable insights for other hospitals looking to strengthen their emergency preparedness.
 

Networking Break/Move to Harrisburg HiltonNetworking Break/Move to Harrisburg Hilton
 

Preventing Violence in Healthcare: Protecting Providers, Patients & Facilities
Eric Sean Clay, MBA, CPP, PSP, PCI, CHPA

Violence against healthcare providers and patients is rising at an alarming rate, especially within hospital settings. This session, led by security expert Eric Sean Clay, MBA, CPP, PSP, PCI, CHPA, will address real-world threats in Pennsylvania hospitals and provide a strategic framework for early intervention and high-level security planning. Attendees will explore how to recognize early behavioral indicators of violence, implement proactive threat management protocols, and apply enterprise-level security solutions that align with the unique demands of healthcare environments.
 

Reception and Networking
 

Dinner (On Your Own)
 

Light Continental Breakfast and Networking
 

Ensuring Continuity: Building Resilient Hospital Operations in Crisis

Join us for a focused session on business continuity in healthcare. Drawing from real-world experience, Brad will outline practical strategies for maintaining hospital operations during disruptions such as natural disasters, cyberattacks, and system failures. Learn how to integrate continuity planning into your emergency management program, align with regulatory requirements, and ensure critical services remain operational when they’re needed most.
 

Ignite Talks | Lessons Learned to Build Resiliency in Emergency Management

Managing the Flow: Responding to an Extended Water Outage at Troy Community Hospital
John Foulkrod, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Troy Community Hospital

This session will explore how Troy Community Hospital effectively managed a prolonged water outage, maintaining critical operations and patient care under challenging conditions. Learn key lessons in emergency water supply planning, coordination with public utilities, and adapting clinical and facility protocols during infrastructure disruptions.
 

When the Storm Hits: Managing Hospital Operations Amid Sustained Wind, Water Damage, and Infrastructure Failure
Joe Adornato, Director of Quality & Development, Barns-Kasson County Hospital

Join Barons Kasson for a focused session on hospital emergency response during extreme weather events involving sustained high winds and significant water damage. This scenario-driven discussion explores how electrical failures, downed trees blocking key access routes, and widespread communication outages impact hospital continuity and patient safety. Participants will examine real-world challenges and tactical approaches to maintaining critical operations, coordinating emergency logistics, and adapting communication protocols under severe infrastructure constraints. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to enhance resilience and readiness for compounded natural disaster scenarios.
 

Networking Break
 

Adapting to Change: Navigating the Joint Commission’s Decreased Emergency Management Standards
The Joint Commission

Recent revisions by The Joint Commission have significantly reduced the number of Emergency Management standards hospitals are required to meet. While intended to streamline compliance and reduce administrative burden, these changes raise important questions about preparedness, accountability, and continuity of best practices. This session will provide a clear overview of the updated standards and facilitate discussion on how hospitals can maintain a high level of emergency readiness despite the relaxed requirements. You will learn practical strategies for sustaining robust programs, share institutional approaches to bridging the gap between compliance and true preparedness, and address potential risks associated with reduced regulatory oversight.