Aug 01 2026 - Nov 30 2026
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
In 2008, North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (NDDHHS) and North Dakota Long Term Care Association (NDLTCA) partnered to increase emergency preparedness activities for long-term care facilities throughout our state. At that time, federal funding under the Healthcare Preparedness Program (HPP) under the Administration of Strategic Preparedness & Response (ASPR) was delegated to North Dakota Long Term Care Association (NDLTCA) in order to provide a part-time position to support emergency preparedness activities, education, and training in preparing long-term facilities for potential disasters and emergencies.
The Red River Valley Flood of 2009 showed the importance of statewide planning and collaboration between NDDHHS and North Dakota’s long-term care facilities. Several long-term care facilities were evacuated; their residents being placed in other facilities throughout North Dakota. Challenges were overwhelming. With NDDHHS and NDLTCA working together, gaps were identified. Processes were developed and incorporated to further support long-term facilities during response events.
Flood threats were real in Fargo in 2010. Evacuation was not required, as lessons from the previous year were learned, recorded, and able to be executed. The North Dakota Health Care Coalition (ND HCC), as well as assistance from other entities throughout the state, was stronger and better prepared.
More flooding across the state happened again in 2011; with the most known being the Souris River Valley Flood in Minot. Once again, it was found that statewide relationships between entities and emergency preparedness was critical. Lessons were learned, modifications were made, and new protocols were written.
While North Dakota faces emergent situations every month of every year, the most challenging to date was the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though this time period was exhausting for all, the education and execution of NDDHHS and NDLTCA partnerships created safety for residents across North Dakota Long-Term Care Facilities.
In January 2026, NDLTCA extended arms around the North Dakota Home Health Care and Hospice Programs, creating more awareness throughout the State. Policies and procedures are under construction with supporting more of the vulnerable adult population by staying safe in the event of an emergency response.
The web pages listed in the EP portion of this site will assist in preparation, execution, and recovery from an emergency response or disaster. They include guidance in requesting and responding to Health Alert Networks (HAN) drills and real events. Information is included for Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) completion. Links to contacts for city, county, and state resources are listed, to help build stronger relationships between healthcare facilities, providers, and emergency responders within their communities.
The division of NDDHHS Emergency Preparedness & Response Department Operations Center (NDDHHS EPR DOC) and NDLTCA are ready and willing to assist you with any training or exercise completion that will satisfy reporting requirements. As we work together, we will assist in the guidance of emergency preparedness & response practices to better prepare North Dakota long-term care, home health care, and hospice agencies for any event planned… or worse, emergencies or disasters with no warning.
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North Dakota Department of Health & Human Services
Emergency Preparedness & Response
Department Operations Center
NDHHS EPR DOC is available to assist you!
A Case Manager is available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, 365 days/year to speak with, via phone, text, or email.
Phone: 701-328-0707
Text: 855-590-1774
Email: notifications@ndeprops.readyop-gov.com
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Emergency Statewide Response Team (SRT) Coordinators are available for your emergency preparedness and response questions and/or needs. Each region is listed below.
Northwest Region:
Counties: Divide, McKenzie, Mountrail, Williams
Contact: Dana Brekhus
(701) 774-6400
danab@umdhu.org
Northwest Central Region:
Counties: Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, McLean, Renville, Sheridan, Ward
Contact: Zach Bruns
(701) 852-1376
zbruns@nd.gov
Northeast Central Region:
Counties: Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Pierce, Ramsey, Rolette, Towner
Contact: Awaiting Assignment, please call DOC at 701-328-0707 for assistance
Northeast Region:
Counties: Griggs, Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina, Walsh
Contact: Marcus Lee
(701) 787-8100
mlee@grandforksgov.com
Southeast Region:
Counties: Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele, Traill
Contact: Hunter Hubrig
(701) 241-1360
hhubrig@fargond.gov
Southeast Central Region:
Counties: Barnes, Dickey, Foster, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Stutsman, Wells
Contact: Frank Balak
(701) 252-8130 (for 24-hr reporting, call 701-952-8196)
fbalak@nd.gov
Southwest Central Region:
Counties: Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sioux
Contact: Crystalynn Kuntz
(701) 355-1540
ckuntz@bismarcknd.gov
Southwest Region:
Counties: Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn, Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope, Stark
Contact: Sherry Adams
(701) 483-0171 (for 24-hr reporting, call 701-290-6110)
sladams@nd.gov
If you cannot get in touch with your SRT or need additional information, please contact Theresa Sack, the Director of Emergency Planning at North Dakota Long Term Care Association at theresa@ndltca.org or 701-354-9776, or the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services Department Operations Center (NDDHHS DOC) at 701-328-0707, as they can assist you with information and questions. They can also assist you with contacting your SRT coordinator to get in touch with you or to visit your building.
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Federal Emergency Preparedness Resources
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) coordinates the federal government’s response to disasters, helping communities, governments, and individuals prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers a range of resources aimed at preparing individuals and communities for emergencies, including natural disasters, pandemics, and chemical incidents. Its primary purpose is to protect public health and safety through the control and prevention of disease, injury, and disability, both domestically and internationally.
The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) is an operating agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that focuses on preventing, preparing for, and responding to public health emergencies and disasters.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security responsible for protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure from physical and cyber threats.
State of North Dakota Emergency Preparedness Resources
North Dakota Department of Health & Human Services Emergency Preparedness & Response (NDDHHS EPR)
The Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Unit is dedicated to creating and promoting a state of readiness and prompt response to protect the health of North Dakotans during catastrophic events, large scale disasters and emergencies. The mission is accomplished by coordinating education, assessment, planning, response and support services involving public health providers, private medical providers, public safety agencies and government officials.
North Dakota Hospital Preparedness Program (ND HPP)
The Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) coordinates and supports emergency preparedness activities across the healthcare continuum; engaging hospitals, long term care facilities, emergency medical services, and clinics in planning and implementing systems to increase capacity to provide care to those affected by emergencies and infectious disease outbreaks.
North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (ND DES)
NDResponse is the state’s one-stop-shop for communicating timely and accurate information to citizens during emergencies and disasters. As the state coordinating agency during disasters and emergencies, NDDES is a significant contributing agency to NDResponse.
North Dakota HAN Assets (ND HAN)
Created and intended as an online system for ordering items from the State Medical Cache to support the health and medical needs of the citizens of North Dakota in times of emergency and/or supply shortages.
North Dakota Critical Incident Stress Management (ND CISM)
Purpose is to accelerate normal recovery, for normal people, having normal reactions to abnormal events, enabling people to quickly return to their daily routine.
North Dakota Medical Reserve Corps (ND MRC)
Our mission is to improve the health and safety of communities across North Dakota through the organization of volunteers sharing the common goals to serve their communities in times of need, prevention, and proactive planning.
North Dakota State and Local Intelligence Center (ND SLIC)
The mission of the North Dakota State and Local Intelligence Center (NDSLIC) is to gather, store, analyze and disseminate information on crimes, both real and suspected, to the law enforcement community, government officials and private industry concerning dangerous drugs, fraud, organized crime, terrorism and other criminal activity for the purposes of decision making, public safety and proactive law enforcement while ensuring the rights and privacy of citizens.
FEMA – Assistance after a Disaster
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) utilizes different assistance programs for individual citizens versus public groups like government agencies and private nonprofit organizations. Find the help you need to support your disaster recovery.
The National Coordinator of the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (NCSWIC) is comprised of the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC) or an acting SWIC representative from each state or territory in the designated region. Each region has its own Regional Interoperability Council (RIC). The interstate RICs were developed to promote communication and collaboration among SWICs for the purpose of establishing interoperable communications solutions with neighboring states, regions, and counties.
Information on NCSWIC Membership
Life Safety
Life Safety and Construction | Health and Human Services North Dakota
The focus of the Life Safety and Construction Unit is to protect and safeguard the citizens of North Dakota by ensuring a safe environment for the elderly and disabled living in institutional settings.
ReadyOp
ReadyOp is a software program, used statewide for bed availability reporting and resident tracking. All statewide emergency communications will be executed through this system.
Ready Op User Guide for Hospitals & Long-Term Care Facilities.pdf
ReadyOp LTC Resident Tracking Form.xlsx
Hospital Preparedness Program Meeting with Long-Term Care Facilities
– Last Tuesday of each month at 11:00 am CST
– HPP Meeting – Emergency Preparedness and Response in LTC-Tuesday 09/29/2026
– Past HPP Calls for LTC Videos (use keyword: meeting)
AL, BC, SNF, Care at Home, Hospice Resources:
Assisted Living | North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
Adult and Aging | North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
Food and Lodging | North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services