4.1: Preparedness
Improve the Nation’s preparedness for response to war, terrorism, national emergencies, and natural disasters by developing
plans and taking actions to ensure continued service to veterans as well as support to national, state, and local emergency
management and homeland security efforts.
Other Information:
Purpose and Outcomes: The purpose of this objective is to ensure that, in times of war or national emergency, VA continues
to operate and provide services to veterans and also contributes to the national response capability. VA’s efforts will be
coordinated with the Department of Homeland Security, DoD, HHS, and other government agencies. The program outcome is to train
VA Central Office, field-based officials, emergency planners, and key personnel on VA’s Continuity of Operations plan. Strategies
and Processes: VA will improve plans, training, and other advanced approaches to prepare for any potential contingencies.
VA will develop and maintain appropriate emergency operations capability to ensure focused, coordinated emergency response
and to integrate VA emergency operations with the Department of Homeland Security and other government agencies, and will
ensure that information technology is available to support this effort. VA will continue to maintain readiness as required
by Public Law 97-174, and implement the Memorandum of Understanding between VA and DoD which requires joint plans and procedures
for using the VA medical system as the primary backup to DoD during war and other national emergencies. VA will continue to
support the VA/DoD Contingency Plan and the National Response Plan, to include the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS).
This collaboration includes coordinating individual agency response plans and supporting local, state, regional, and national
incident management systems. VA and DoD will also collaborate in the training and education of health care responders and
identify opportunities to provide medical readiness training and platforms for first responders and military medical personnel.
VA will carry out its Comprehensive Emergency Management Program (CEM) to include continuity of operations that will require:
(1) annual testing, training, and exercises, (2) preparing alternate operating capability, (3) identifying designated emergency
planners within VA, (4) tracking emergency pharmaceutical caches, and (5) tracking decontamination equipment and personal
protective equipment. The CEM will be designed to enable VA to respond to a wide range of potential emergencies including:
• an attack on the United States; • natural, environmental, and technological disasters; • civil disorders; and • terrorism.
VA will be prepared to respond to disasters and national emergencies. VA will partner with other Federal, state, and community
agencies to develop a national emergency preparedness plan that clearly articulates VA’s role and capabilities to respond
to emergencies. VA will conduct training and emergency preparedness drills using standardized scenarios consistent with VA’s
Emergency Management Program Guidebook. External Factors: The necessity for VA to achieve this objective was made clear with
the events of September 11, 2001. External factors that will affect VA’s achievement of this objective will include the level
of funding and support of Congress and the development of new technology, equipment, and medical interventions.
Indicator(s):
|
