Jul 21 - 24 2026
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Administrator’s Conference
Chase on the Lake
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.