Emergency Preparedness
and Response
COTS collaborates with healthcare organizations and community partners across Ohio to develop, update, and maintain comprehensive emergency preparedness plans, annexes, and operational tools. These resources strengthen each partner’s readiness while clearly defining COTS’ capabilities and the support available before, during, and after emergencies.
COTS coordinates the Central Ohio Regional Healthcare Emergency Preparedness (RHEP) Coalition and the Southeast/Southeast Central Ohio Healthcare Coalition (SEOHC). These public/private partnerships strengthen the ability of healthcare organizations and related entities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies.
Together, we build capabilities that no organization can achieve alone. In doing so, we provide lasting value to the community
COTS provides a Healthcare Incident Liaison (HIL), available 24/7/365 to support hospitals and coalition partners. The HIL promotes situational awareness , monitors healthcare system performance and capacity, coordinates logistical requests, and serves as a critical link among healthcare facilities, public health, and government partners; building an all-hazards resilient healthcare system.
Click here to learn about the COTS Regional EMStrike Team. To join the EMStrike Team https://www.cotshealth.org/contact-us
Since 1996, COTS has built the relationships, systems, and plans needed to support a coordinated regional response, whether responding to an immediate patient surge, an infectious disease outbreak, or another healthcare emergency.
Emergency preparedness and response partners work alongside the Emergency Services and Trauma divisions to improve outcomes for the ill and injured experiencing a disaster or mass casualty event in central, southeast, and southeast central Ohio.
COTS University services the training and exercises needs for the RHEP and SEOHC healthcare coalitions and provides a networking opportunity to discuss challenges, brainstorm ideas, and create best practices.
For Questions contact:
Jodi Keller, Central Region
Director of Healthcare System Emergency Preparedness/ Central Region Healthcare Coordinator
Office Phone: (614)255-4407
Kelsey Blackburn, Southeast/Southeast Central Region
SE/SEC Emergency Manager/ Regional Healthcare Coordinator
Office Phone: (614)255-4405
For more information on joining your local healthcare coalition click the map.
Regions 4, 7, and 8 have been identified as Zone 2 by Governor DeWine for the COVID-19 Response. Click here for the map of the Zones