October 17, 2025Podcast

Regional Healthcare Disaster Collaboration Teams

Tim Conley, Emergency Management Supervisor Mercy Health Care System. He’s also the co-founder of the IDMC (Interstate Disaster Medical Collaborative) with our co-host Sam Bradley. Sam invited Tim on the show to talk about his Illinois Regional Healthcare Coordination system. This allows local healthcare systems to collaborate to provide emergency and disaster preparedness systems to their regions.

Joining us on the show tonight are our two disaster weather experts, Kyle Nelson and Dan DePodwin. We also have disaster emergency management expert, Becky DePodwin. We discuss how collaboration before disaster strikes is essential to maximizing the ability to respond in a timely fashion when major events occur.

The episode was co-hosted by Sam Bradley and Jamie Davis.

Scroll down for Podcast Discussion Summary

Thank you as always to Paragon Medical Education Group for their long-term support of the Disaster Podcast. Dr. Joe Holley and the team at Paragon continue to provide excellent and customized disaster response training to jurisdictions around the U.S. and internationally as well.

Podcast Discussion Summary

Illinois Preparedness and Response Discussion

Jamie, Sam, and Joe welcomed Tim Conley to the show to discuss his work with the Illinois Preparedness and Response Coalition. Tim explained that his hospital has the Regional Healthcare Coordination Center (RHCC) for the northwest part of the state, and he helps with it but does not run it himself. The group briefly discussed Tim’s background and his previous appearances on the show. Jamie then introduced Tim to the audience and announced they were ready to start recording the episode.

Northwest Illinois Preparedness Coalition Discussion

The meeting began with a casual discussion about weather conditions on the East Coast, where Jamie described mild October weather with some rain from a nor’easter. Sam and Joe discussed the weather in Memphis, which had cooled off slightly due to the same storm. The group welcomed meteorologists and show regulars Becky, Dan, and Kyle to the meeting, and Dan provided an update on tropical weather, noting that while the Atlantic hurricane season is winding down, there is still potential for one or two more storms in the Caribbean over the next six weeks. The conversation then shifted to discussing a video Tim Conley had shared about the Northwest Illinois Preparedness and Response Coalition.

Emergency Management Coordination and Preparedness

Tim described his roles in emergency management, including his position as an emergency management supervisor for Mercy Healthcare System and his work with Medglobal’s chemical weapons training programs. He also discussed the Interstate Disaster Medical Collaborative, which helps states coordinate for preparedness, particularly through Regional Health Coordination Centers (RHCCs). Sam noted the potential shift of FEMA responsibilities to the state level, emphasizing the importance of his involvement given the uncertainty in federal requirements for RHCCs.

Regional Health Coordination Centers Overview

Tim explained the function of Regional Health Coordination Centers (RHCCs), using Illinois as an example, and described their role in disaster planning, training, and maintaining disaster warehouses. He highlighted the importance of establishing relationships and understanding capabilities before an event occurs, emphasizing that no single organization can meet all needs.

He also discussed the Northwest Illinois Preparedness and Response Coalition, mentioning its two dedicated employees, medical director, and ongoing efforts to prepare the region for potential disasters through training, budgeting, and equipment maintenance.

Emergency Management All-Hazards Approach

Tim discussed the importance of an all-hazards approach in emergency management, emphasizing collaboration with various agencies and the establishment of MOUs with big-box stores to ensure 96-hour sustainability. They explained the setup and logistics of field alternate care sites, which are modeled after DMATs, and highlighted the complexity of logistics involved.

He also mentioned the presence of ALS and hospital-based equipment in these sites, though they are not equipped for full ER care. Joe shared that similar networks exist in Memphis, with ongoing challenges in logistics and coordination, and mentioned an upcoming drill at the airport to test these systems.

Rural Emergency Response Coordination

Sam, Jamie, and Kyle discussed the importance of coordinated emergency response programs, particularly in rural areas. Kyle explained that Colorado has 11 RETACs to provide a coordinated approach for emergency medical and trauma care at the regional level, with each region having its own talk group on the state radio system.

He emphasized the need for collaboration between hospitals, EMS agencies, and other response agencies to effectively handle planned events and emerging incidents, highlighting the vital role of coordination in areas with limited resources.

Emergency Coordination Across Regional Centers

The group discussed emergency coordination in Pennsylvania, with Tim sharing an example from Illinois where a tornado at the Apollo Theater resulted in multiple casualties and required medical dispersion across the region. They highlighted an ongoing IDMC project led by a Tennessee RHCC, which aims to connect emergency coordination centers across 20 states, with Tim encouraging RHCCs to participate. Dan, who was in New York City at the time, shared his observations about the differences between urban and rural emergency response settings.

La Nina, X Games, Preparedness

The group discussed the current La Nina weather conditions in the Pacific Ocean and its potential impact on winter weather patterns across the United States. They also talked about the upcoming Winter X Games in Aspen, which will include snowmobile events and concerts. The conversation then shifted to disaster preparedness and the importance of creating links between different organizations before disasters occur, especially given the current uncertainty at the federal level. The participants emphasized the need for states to be prepared to respond to their own disasters and highlighted the work being done by various states in this area.

The group discussed the importance of disaster preparedness and the role of specialized training, with Jamie highlighting the sponsorship of the Disaster Podcast by Paragon Medical Education Group.

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