Office of Nursing Services (ONS)

Nursing Emergency Management

The National Nursing Emergency Management (EM) Workgroup provides recommendations and feedback to the National Nurse Executive Council's (NNEC) Workforce Management Goal Group on issues related to Emergency Management. The workgroup was chartered to evaluate and develop a plan on how Office of Nursing Services (ONS) can support Nurse Execs/Chief Nurses, VA Nurses, and the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), with respect to disaster response and emergency preparedness efforts. With the initiation of the VHA’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Program (CEMP), ONS will be implementing the plan as directed.

VA Resources

VHA Office of Emergency Management (OEM): VHA's Comprehensive Emergency Management information for veterans, employees, emergency managers, healthcare providers and the public.
VHA Directive 0320, Comprehensive Emergency Management Program (July 5, 2007) Policy for VA-wide comprehensive emergency management programs and Veterans Health Administration responsibilities for implementation.

Comprehensive Emergency Management Program (CEMP) The Comprehensive Emergency Management Program supports the mission, vision, and strategic goals of the organization to ensure the continuity of patient care, the safety of patients, staff, and resources, and provides for the continuity of hospital operations in the event of a disaster or emergency.

National Center for PTSD Psychological First Aid (PFA): Field Operatons Guide
For disaster responders, PFA is an evidence-informed modular approach for assisting people in the immediate aftermath of disaster and terrorism: to reduce initial distress, and to foster short and long-term adaptive functioning. It is for use by first responders, incident command systems, primary and emergency health care providers, school crisis response teams, faith-based organizations, disaster relief organizations, Community Emergency Response Teams, Medical Reserve Corps, and the Citizens Corps in diverse settings.

Other VA Resources

Volunteer Checklist as described in Volunteer Training DVD

Federal Resources

Department of Health and Human Services Preparedness Resources (HHS)

1. The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) serves as the Secretary's principal advisory staff on matters related to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies. ASPR also coordinates interagency activities between HHS, other Federal departments, agencies, and offices, and State and local officials responsible for emergency preparedness and the protection of the civilian population from acts of bioterrorism and other public health emergencies.
2. Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality(AHRQ):
   Public Health Emergency Preparedness
   • Evidence Reports
   • Conferences and Meetings
   • Research Projects
   • How To Order Publications
3. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC):
   Emergency Preparedness & Response - Comprehensive website with information on personal preparedness, specific hazards, & preparedness for all-hazards
4. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
   Emergency Preparedness & Response - Information on how FDA is helping to prepare our country for possible bioterrorism attacks by working with other federal agencies to ensure that adequate supplies of medicine and vaccines are available to the American public.
5. Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
   Disaster Technical Assistance Center Established by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) supports SAMHSA's efforts to prepare States, Territories, and local entities to deliver an effective mental health and substance abuse (behavioral health) response during disasters.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Preparedness and Response

1. National Response Framework (NRF)
   The National Response Framework presents the guiding principles that enable all response partners to prepare for and provide a unified national response to disasters and emergencies - from the smallest incident to the largest catastrophe. The Framework establishes a comprehensive, national, all-hazards approach to domestic incident response.
   • Emergency Support Function #8 Public Health & Medical Services Annex
     Emergency Support Function (ESF) #8 – Public Health and Medical Services provides the mechanism for coordinated Federal assistance to supplement State, tribal, and local resources in response to a public health and medical disaster, potential or actual incidents requiring a coordinated Federal response, and/or during a developing potential health and medical emergency. The phrase “medical needs” is used throughout this annex. Public Health and Medical Services include responding to medical needs associated with mental health, behavioral health, and substance abuse considerations of incident victims and response workers. Services also cover the medical needs of members of the “at risk” or “special needs” population described in the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act and in the National Response Framework (NRF) Glossary, respectively. It includes a population whose members may have medical and other functional needs before, during, and after an incident.
2. National Incident Management System
   The National Incident Management System (NIMS) provides a systematic, proactive approach to guide departments and agencies at all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to work seamlessly to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of incidents, regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity, in order to reduce the loss of life and property and harm to the environment.

return to top