Wisconsin Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Program
What is a HERC?
A healthcare emergency readiness coalition (HERC) is comprised of a core group of hospitals and health care organizations, local and Tribal public health agencies, state, regional, and local and Tribal emergency management, and emergency medical services, as well as additional members. These partners collaborate for the common goal of making their communities safer, healthier, and more resilient. Wisconsin has seven regional HERCs that support communities before, during, and after disasters and other health-related crises.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) funds Wisconsin’s HERCs. ASPR leads the country in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the adverse health effects of emergencies and disasters. ASPR’s HPP enables the health care delivery system to save lives during emergencies and disaster events that exceed the day-to-day capacity and capability of existing health and emergency response systems.
HPP is the only source of federal funding for health care delivery system readiness, intended to improve patient outcomes, minimize the need for federal and supplemental state resources during emergencies, and enable rapid recovery. HPP prepares the health care delivery system to save lives through the development of health care coalitions (HCCs). In Wisconsin, these are known as HERCs.
The overall goal of the HERC is to help Wisconsin communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from a disaster as quickly as possible. Through coordinated preparation, response, and recovery efforts, HERC members work to create a more resilient Wisconsin.
To learn more about your regional HERC, contact DHSHERC@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
HERC regions
Wisconsin is divided into seven regional healthcare emergency readiness coalitions.
For more information on the coalition in your region, see their coalition websites.
