Emergency preparedness takes more than a written plan. It requires realistic practice, clear communication, and a team ready to adapt when the unexpected happens.

That message is at the heart of the guidance shared by Patti Heid, MSPT, COS-C, Senior Director of Best Practices & Compliance at the Home Care Association of Florida (HCAF), in the September 28, 2026 issue of Home Health Line. Published by DecisionHealth, the publication covers regulatory news, benchmarks, and best practices for the home health industry.

In the article “Prioritize cool heads, clear response during emergency plan activations,” reporter MaryKent Wolff draws on Heid’s expertise to explore how agencies can strengthen their response before, during, and after an emergency.

Practice for the Unexpected

Heid encourages agencies to look beyond the disasters most familiar to their region. As the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated, emergencies can take many forms and introduce challenges that providers have never encountered.

“That is why training exercises are so valuable beyond meeting a survey requirement,” Heid explains.

Varied, realistic exercises give agencies an opportunity to test how they would communicate with patients and staff, manage staffing shortages, maintain supplies, respond to power or technology failures, and coordinate with community partners.

The article also reports that Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) home health survey data from January through August 2026 included 39 citations related to emergency preparedness exercises, 30 related to staff training, and 23 related to emergency plans — reinforcing the need to put preparedness into practice.

Support the People Providing Care

One detail that can be overlooked during an emergency is the well-being of staff and their families.

“As leaders, we’re so focused on protecting our patients that we can forget our teams are managing the emergency personally as well,” Heid says.

Making sure staff and loved ones are safe and supported helps teams maintain the focus and capacity needed to care for patients.

Build Connections Before a Crisis

Heid recommends establishing relationships with local emergency management offices and arranging mutual aid agreements with other home care providers before disaster strikes. These connections can help address urgent operational needs and support continuity of care if an agency is temporarily unable to operate.

She also encourages providers to stay connected with their state home care association. HCAF helps communicate needs between providers and state agencies and connects members with resources and support.

Stay Calm — and Learn From Each Activation

When an emergency occurs, Heid advises providers to pause, assess the situation, trust their training, and adjust as conditions evolve. Staff should understand their responsibilities and know whom to contact when something does not go as planned.

Once the emergency has passed, an after-action report helps agencies identify what worked, where problems arose, and how their plans should change.

Heid’s guidance offers a practical reminder: preparedness is an ongoing process, strengthened through practice, partnerships, support for staff, and lessons learned from each response.