2026 Emergency Management Conference: Security. Continuity. Resilience. Register Now

Registration
 

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

The Changing Federal and State Landscape
Randy Padfield, Director, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency

Emergency management is entering a period of significant transition as federal priorities shift, funding pressures intensify, and states assume greater responsibility for preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. This session will explore the evolving relationship between federal and state emergency management programs, including the implications of regulatory changes, resource constraints, and the growing expectation that states, local partners, and private industry, such as hospitals and health care systems, will lead critical emergency preparedness activities. Participants will gain insight into Pennsylvania’s priorities, coordination efforts, and strategies for maintaining readiness in an environment of uncertainty.
 

Business Continuity Ignite Talks
 

Business Continuity Update: Strengthening Health Care Resilience
Ed Wurster, MS, CBCP, CM, Manager, Business Continuity & Cyber Resilience, The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania

Health care organizations continue to face a growing range of operational, technological, and workforce-related disruptions that threaten continuity of care. This business continuity update will explore strategies for aligning emergency management with operational resilience, addressing staffing, IT, and clinical service continuity challenges, and strengthening coordination between hospitals, nursing homes, and other care settings. Attendees will gain practical insights to help sustain critical operations, maintain patient care services, and enhance organizational preparedness in an evolving risk environment.
 

How Technology Makes Healthcare Emergency Management and Business Continuity Executable

Ron Loborec, Managing Partner, Agilitas Advisory, Battleground Group
Rob Whitzman, Partner, Technology & Resilience, Agilitas Advisory, Battleground Group

Technology can be a powerful force multiplier during emergencies—but only when it is coordinated, integrated, and aligned with incident response operations. Rather than focusing on individual tools, this session explores six practical measures that help hospitals leverage technology to improve communication, maintain situational awareness, support decision-making, and accelerate operational recovery during crises. Through real-world examples and actionable strategies, participants will learn how to strengthen resilience by connecting existing systems and processes before an emergency occurs. Time permitting, the session will also provide an overview of implementation considerations and how coordinated technology can complement the tools and platforms hospitals already have in place.
 

Networking Break
 

When Systems Go Down, Care Goes On: Building Clinical Resilience Through Informatics and Emergency Management 
Ayesha Gonsalves, MSN, RN, NI-BC, Lead Clinical Informatics, Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital 
Joy Iocca, DNP, RN, CEN, CPHIMS, Associate Chief Health Information Officer for Strategy and Operations, Penn Medicine

As cyberattacks, technology disruptions, and other emergencies continue to challenge healthcare operations, organizations must be prepared to maintain safe, coordinated patient care when electronic health record (EHR) systems become unavailable. This session will demonstrate how one health system transformed fragmented downtime practices into a standardized business continuity program through collaboration among Clinical Informatics, Emergency Management, nursing, and operational leaders. Attendees will learn how multidisciplinary governance, standardized workflows, technology-enabled downtime resources, simulation-based training, and coordinated communication strategies improved organizational readiness and clinical resilience. Practical tools, implementation strategies, and lessons learned will equip participants to strengthen business continuity, enhance patient safety, and improve operational resilience within their own organizations.

Working Together: Bristol Nursing Home Explosion
Kevin Dippolito, Fire Chief, Fire Marshal, Emergency Management Director, Bristol Township, Pennsylvania
Michael Motte, Chief Executive Officer, Lower Bucks Hospital
Renee Stewart, RN, MSN, Chief Nursing Officer, Lower Bucks Hospital
Mark Wajda, MSN, RN, Emergency Room Director, Lower Bucks Hospital
Michael Coyne, Vice President, Real Estate and Development, Saber Community Support 

When a devastating explosion struck a Bristol-area nursing home, emergency responders and health care leaders were forced to act quickly under rapidly changing conditions. In this case study, local emergency management, fire service, and hospital leaders will share lessons learned from the response, including patient evacuation and surge management, interagency coordination, communication strategies, and operational decision-making. Attendees will gain practical insights into the partnerships and planning necessary to effectively manage large-scale incidents and protect vulnerable populations during a crisis.
 

Group Luncheon
 

Strengthening Supply Chain Resilience
Vincent Aguilera, Senior Director, Vizient

Supply chain disruptions continue to challenge health care operations and emergency preparedness. This session will explore practical strategies for building more resilient supply chains, with a focus on key lessons learned from recent events, including the IV solutions shortage. Attendees will gain actionable approaches to improve planning, communication, inventory management, and coordination across clinical and operational teams.
 

Crisis to Recovery: Lessons from the Lehigh Valley Dickson City Fire and Evacuation
Joshua Houck MBA, FP-C, NHDP-BC, CHEP, Director, Emergency Preparedness, Department of Public Safety and Emergency Operations, Lehigh Valley Health Network

When an emergency threatens hospital operations, leaders must make critical decisions under immense pressure. In this session, you will hear firsthand insights about the Lehigh Valley Dixon City fire and evacuation, rapid response, patient movement, staff coordination, and continuity of care. You will gain practical lessons on emergency preparedness, communication strategies, and organizational resilience that can strengthen your own response plans for future crises.
 

Gamified Training: Engaging Teams Through Educational Escape Rooms
Matthew Gallardo, BSW, MBA-C, Regional Account Executive, HAPevolve, Healthcare Preparedness Solutions

Discover how gamification can transform emergency preparedness and safety training by immersing staff in realistic, hands-on learning experiences. This session will highlight HAPevolve’s educational escape rooms, which use interactive challenges and problem-solving activities to reinforce fire safety, hazard recognition, emergency procedures, and resident safety best practices. Attendees will learn how gamified training can increase engagement, improve knowledge retention, strengthen teamwork, and help organizations meet education and regulatory requirements while building a stronger culture of safety and preparedness.
 

Networking Break
 

Leveraging AI and Advanced Analytics to Strengthen Hospital Security
Brian Swearingen, CPP, CHPA, CHEP, CHSP, System Director, Security, Tower Health 

As security threats continue to evolve, health care organizations are leveraging AI, analytics, and advanced security technologies to strengthen preparedness and response. This session will highlight how Tower Health uses facial and license plate recognition, situational awareness platforms, and other technology-driven tools to enhance investigations, threat assessment, visitor management, executive protection, and overall physical security operations. Attendees will gain practical insights into using technology as a force multiplier to improve safety and operational resilience.
 

Building True Resilience—Moving Beyond Preparedness
Kevin Yeskey, MD, Senior Adviser for Emergency Public Health, MDB, Inc.

Preparedness alone is no longer enough. This session explores how hospitals can build true resilience by strengthening leadership, continuity planning, adaptability, and collaboration to better withstand and recover from disruptions. Attendees will gain practical strategies to enhance organizational resilience and maintain safe, effective operations during crises.
 

Adjourn