Emergency Preparedness & Response Program

The Department of Health Care Services, Office of Tribal Affairs, Emergency Preparedness and Response Program provides technical assistance and trainings at no cost to Tribal leaders, Indian health programs, and Tribal communities. The Emergency Preparedness and Response Program is designed to strengthen preparedness planning and training for tribal communities, ensuring access to health care during an emergency.

Assistance for emergency preparedness services includes, but is not limited to:

Guidance on emergency operations plans (EOPs)
Recommendations regarding community level emergency preparation
Guidance on training and exercises
Assistance with California Health Alert Network (CAHAN) System registration
Technical assistance with Medi-Cal procedures during an emergency or disaster
Recommendations for emergency preparedness training and resources

For questions or to request assistance, please contact Rose Garcia, Emergency Preparedness and Response Program Coordinator at Rose.Garcia@dhcs.ca.gov or at (916) 713-8621.

There are many emergency preparedness and response resources available from Federal, State, Tribal, and Local agencies.

Tribal Emergency Preparedness Digital Story Project

The Office of Tribal Affairs developed Tribal emergency preparedness digital stories that focus on how Tribes and Indian health programs implemented emergency preparedness strategies to support their Tribal community during a particular emergency or disaster.

Each Tribal emergency preparedness digital story shares a unique perspective and highlights the needs of the community and the relationships, resources, or systems in place that helped the community prepare for or respond to the emergency or disaster. We also learn what relationships can be further strengthened, and what can be done to help support the capacity and ability of a Tribal community to prepare for or respond to an emergency or disaster.