Emergency Management

Valley Regional Hospital has an Emergency Management Plan, which is designed to provide a safe and expedient response to natural or manmade events that have the potential to cause disruption in the hospital's ability to provide care, treatment, and services for an extended length of time. This plan addresses the strategy for managing six critical areas of emergency response, including Communication, Resources and Assets, Safety and Security, Staff Responsibilities, Utilities Management, and Patient Clinical and Support Activities. The hospital has adopted an "all hazards" approach to emergency management that supports a level of preparedness sufficient to address a range of emergencies, regardless of the cause.

Through the annual Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (HVA), the hospital has identified potential hazards, threats, and adverse events, assessing their impact on the care, treatment and services, which must be sustained during an emergency. Staff members receive annual training as to their roles and responsibilities within the plan. The information gained from the assessment of these areas has enabled Valley Regional Hospital to develop an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), which guides the hospital in its emergency response and recovery efforts. Valley Regional Hospital performs several drills each year, testing these plans, in order to better serve the Greater Sullivan County Community.

Preparing your Home and Family for a Disaster

You should keep enough supplies in your home to meet the needs of you and your family for at least three days. Build an emergency supply kit to take with you in an evacuation. The basics to stock in your portable kit include: water, food, battery-powered radio and flashlight with extra batteries, first aid supplies, change of clothing, blanket or sleeping bag, wrench or pliers, whistle, dust mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape, trash bags, map, a manual can opener for canned food and special items for infants, elderly, the sick or people with disabilities. Keep these items in an easy to carry container such as a covered trash container, a large backpack or a duffle bag. Visit www.ready.gov for more information about what to include in your kit.

Review the Family Readiness Kit with your entire family and include your children in the planning! And, click here for a coloring activity for young children.

Heather J. Rousseau, RN BSN
Director Infection Prevention/Emergency Preparedness
Valley Regional Hospital
243 Elm Street
Claremont, NH 03743
P: 603-542-1861
F: 603-542-7808
E: Heather.Rousseau@vrh.org