News

Leaning Forward With Skill and Compassion To Help Those in Need

BCFS Health and Human Services’ Emergency Management Division (EMD) leadership wishes to acknowledge and express appreciation to its’ staff members for the hundreds of swift and effective responses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

When our world forever changed with this unprecedented global pandemic, you and our other highly skilled emergency managers, medical and support personnel answered the call to serve again and again. Since February of 2020, you have made many sacrifices and you have saved thousands of lives.

Abilene Observes One-Year Anniversary of Tornado

One year ago, a tornado ripped through a populated section of Abilene causing major damage to more than 300 homes and businesses and impacting more than 147 families. Fortunately, there was no loss of life and in the aftermath the community came together to help their neighbors recover.

BCFS Health and Human Services’ Emergency Management Division (EMD) was there from the beginning to help as homes were restored, windows replaced, roofs repaired and a community was healed.

EMD takes part in Abilene tornado recovery celebration

On May 18, 2019, a tornado ripped through a populated section of Abilene causing damage to homes and impacting 147 families. Since then, more than $370,000 in assistance has been distributed to help people recover. Homes have been restored, windows replaced, roofs repaired, and a community continued to work on healing.

The 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season Begins

The 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1-November 30. While the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a “below-normal” season, it is critical for individuals, families and communities in areas vulnerable to storms to be prepared.

BCFS Receives National Contract to Deploy Case Management Teams During Disasters

BCFS Health and Human Services’ Emergency Management Division (BCFS EMD) was contracted by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response (OHSEPR) to provide immediate disaster case management services to any state, tribe, and territories in the U.S. affected by a natural or man-made disaster – like a hurricane, earthquake, terrorist attack or hazardous materials incident.

BCFS’ International Arm Assists Sri Lanka Flood Victims

Heavy rains and flooding have affected about one million people in Sri Lanka, and killed 30 people with many others missing.The international arm of BCFS, Children’s Emergency Relief International (CERI), is sheltering and feeding flood survivors in Sri Lanka, where it operates foster care and child sponsorship programs.

AmeriCares Partners with BCFS Health and Human Services to Pre-Position Relief Supplies for Texans with Disabilities

AmeriCares and BCFS Health and Human Services’ Emergency Management Division (BCFS EMD) have pre-positioned equipment and relief supplies for Texans with disabilities displaced by disasters. The equipment can be readily deployed to support resource requests for up to five Texas Disaster District regions. The pre-positioned supplies include nearly $50,000 worth of equipment including wheelchairs, canes, cots, shower chairs and other safety equipment BCFS EMD can rapidly deploy at the request of local and state agencies.

BCFS Trains St. Louis Regional Responders on Mass Fatality Response

The St. Louis Regional Response System (STARRS), through the East-West Gateway Council of Governments, contracted with BCFS Health and Human Services’ Emergency Management Division (BCFS EMD) to train local officials and emergency managers in Missouri and Illinois on best practices for mass fatality operations during disasters. The curriculum was designed around the area’s unique needs and existing processes to ensure a customized, practical response capability was established.