​The SWMHE Multi-Year Integrated Preparedness Plan (IPP) is a strategic outline of the chosen objectives and capabilities selected by the exercise planning workgroup based on grant requirements for the next five years of the program. Based on these objectives and capabilities, the exercise planning workgroup selects a suggested scenario for each year that would focus on these objectives and capabilities. As always, the exercise is objective-driven, and the scenario is optional. The IPP can be accessed on the SWMHE IPP webpage.

The SWMHE Exercise Planning Workgroup has focused the SWMHE program priorities for the next five years on the top priority Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) and Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) and Medical Response and Surge Exercise (MRSE) capabilities identified by local jurisdictions through annual surveys. Many local jurisdictions have already developed their own IPPs according to their needs and priorities, which may or may not overlap with the capabilities identified in this plan. To ensure as much overlap as possible, CDPH and EMSA release surveys to gather feedback on the top priority capabilities (PHEP, HPP, and National Core Capabilities). Based on the feedback received, as well as funding requirements, requests for specialized topics, and subject matter expertise, this five-year plan is annually updated to achieve the top priority capabilities and focus on other capabilities from the previous years. In this way, all PHEP, HPP, and MRSE capabilities are tested at least once in the five-year period (according to requirements) and local jurisdictions can concentrate on priority capabilities before moving on to others that may be less of an immediate need.

​The Regional Focus refers to a concerted effort that will be made each year for CDPH and EMSA to focus on interacting with the selected region during the exercise. The region(s) identified for each year are expected to coordinate a regional exercise planning effort. The counties within the region do not all have to play to the same exercise scenario. However, the goal is to come together to conduct regional planning for the SWMHE. CDPH and EMSA may work with the selected region ahead of time to help facilitate joint planning efforts. If you are a local healthcare provider within the selected region, we recommend reaching out to your local HPP or PHEP coordinator for more information.

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