Local emergency management agencies: Do you know how many dialysis and transplant patients are in your jurisdiction? Do you know that dialysis providers are required to contact you annually to discuss their disaster preparedness/response plans?
Dialysis and transplant providers: Do you know if your disaster plans are consistent with local and state plans? Do you know how to talk to your emergency management agency?
The Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) Coalition will coordinate and host an annual conference to educate emergency management officials, disaster response agencies, kidney dialysis/transplant providers, and all interested stakeholders on the many unique aspects of disaster preparedness and response for kidney dialysis/transplant patients and providers.
An annual community partner conference will provide a forum to further educate stakeholders to ensure thorough preparedness and efficient response in the kidney community; assistance to stakeholders in their efforts to incorporate the special requirements of the kidney community into their jurisdiction’s emergency and disaster plans; and an opportunity for enhancement of partnerships.
The conference agenda will focus on special requirements of dialysis and transplant patients, inclusion of the ESRD population in emergency and disaster plans, and continuity of care for the kidney community. This is in support of the regulation requiring dialysis facilities to establish a relationship with local disaster planners.
If you are interested in attending the meeting, please visit www.kcercoalition.com or email Sherilyn Burris at sburris@nw7.esrd.net.
