Report: Hospital Emergency Management in Pennsylvania: An Objective Review

Introduction

Hospitals fill many roles in Pennsylvania. They are places of healing and caring, and partners in ensuring the health and well-being of our families, friends, and neighbors. They are also community anchors, driving local economies and supporting good-paying jobs. Every day, Pennsylvania’s hospitals provide security and assurance for those who rely on them. However, at times, unplanned disruptions, natural and man-made hazards, and other emergencies impact the ability of hospitals to fill their roles. Communities expect—and need—hospitals to continue their vital mission, even when their ability to do so has been diminished.

Hospital emergency management programs are essential because they ensure health care facilities can effectively respond to disasters, mass casualty events, and public health crises. These programs help hospitals maintain continuity of care, allocate resources efficiently, and protect patients, staff, and infrastructure during emergencies. This planning enables hospitals to continue to serve their communities through natural disasters, pandemics, terrorist attacks, or other emergencies.

Financial realities, budget constraints, and competing priorities can make it a challenge for hospitals to invest in emergency management, especially when there are immediate operational needs. However, ensuring long-term preparedness, routinely updating protocols, and regularly conducting training are critical to protecting hospitals’ vital mission in the face of the unexpected. Emergency management must be recognized as a strategic investment, not simply a regulatory requirement.

The purpose of this review is to explore the current landscape of Pennsylvania’s hospital emergency management programs, determine their current makeup and status, and offer suggestions on how the programs, and the individuals who manage them, might continue to improve.

The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP), in cooperation with member hospital representatives, has created this document with support from the Agency for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) Hospital Association COVID-19 Grant program. HAP also conducted a survey of Pennsylvania hospital emergency management professionals to help inform this report. HAP would like to thank our member hospital organizations and their emergency management professionals who collaborated and contributed to this report.

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Topics: Emergency Preparedness

Revision Date: 7/25/2025

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