CHI Participates In Massive Emergency Response Demonstration
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In a powerful show of collaboration and readiness, Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) partnered with key local organizations, including the University of Miami, Florida Association of Community Health Centers, and the Miami-Dade Fire Department for a major hands on community-based exercise focused on healthcare emergency preparedness.
The event, held at the Doris Ison Health Center, brought together CHI care teams and community partners to test emergency response protocols that could save lives in the event of natural disasters like hurricanes, fires and infectious outbreaks. From hands-on fire extinguisher training to assembling and operating pop-up medical units, staff learned from practical and vital emergency preparedness activities. One key focus was learning how to connect generators and air conditioning systems to temporary medical units, important knowledge in disaster scenarios when power outages are likely.
“This was a great opportunity for our team to practice under realistic conditions and strengthen our emergency response capabilities,” said Vice President for Facilities and Logistics, Kenneth Gould. “It’s about being ready to continue to provide care no matter what challenges arise.”
Director of Emergency Management Programs for the Florida Association of Community Health Centers, Gianna Van Winkle, assisted in overseeing efforts during the day. She actively engaged on the ground, connecting CHI with organizations like the Tampa Bay Health Coalition, which demonstrated how to deploy mobile units. Through this, she gained firsthand insight into community needs and how these resources directly benefit health centers.
Bill Howe of the Tampa Bay Coalition showcases how to work an extinguisher to CHI employee, Diana Nguyen, before a fire demonstration.
Vice President for Facilities and Logistics, Kenneth Gould (center) stands with members of the Florida Association of Community Health Centers, University of Miami, Tampa Bay Coalition, and more at the end of the exercise drill.
“The goal for today is for folks to see, and to feel, and to start thinking about how to use these tools,” she said. “We’re raising awareness that this exists and I’m here to learn what the health centers needs are, it helps me to advocate for more funding when we know the needs.”
CHI is a member of the Miami-Dade County Healthcare Preparedness Coalition, a collaborative network of healthcare organizations and public safety agencies dedicated to enhancing emergency preparedness and response capabilities in the county. As a member, CHI can request these resources when needed.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, CHI was the first organization in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties to establish drive-through testing. In the face of widespread uncertainty, CHI delivered essential services to hundreds of people in the community, demonstrating its ability to rapidly adapt to shifting conditions. The experience reinforced the importance of agility, preparedness, and strong community coordination—principles that continue to guide CHI’s efforts today.
CHI along with several organizations join forces in a disaster preparedness drill at the Doris Ison Health Center. Together, they set up pop-up medical clinics.
Now, five years later and with advancements bringing new and improved resources, it’s the perfect time to prepare.
Assistant Director of Disaster Management with University of Miami, Elyzabeth Estrada, who also played a hand in organizing this drill, stressed the importance of being prepared for various types of disasters especially when it involves providing healthcare.
“When it comes to emergencies, we want to know what is right here for us in our turf,” she said. “Here in Miami-Dade, if CHI has a need, then the University of Miami can step in and support. The first time that you see the equipment should not be during an emergency.”
Drills like this recent exercise show CHI is prepared to lead in delivering high-quality care during emergencies, reinforcing its commitment to readiness as South Florida faces seasonal storms and other potential hazards.
After deployment, staff toured the air-conditioned pop-up medical clinic where the CHI Care Team would provide medical services during disasters and emergencies.
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