Disaster Preparedness Information Center

Online Resources for ESRD Emergency Preparedness / Disaster Management

American Kidney Fund Activates Disaster Relief Program to Help Dialysis Patients Affected by Hurricane Sandy

The American Kidney Fund (AKF) has activated its Disaster Relief Program to help dialysis patients who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy. The program provides emergency assistance in the form of block grants to local dialysis centers when disaster strikes a community. Dialysis centers then distribute the funds to help their patients pay for essentials such as food, shelter, medications and the cost of fuel or transportation to reach dialysis treatment. Dialysis center social workers may request a block grant to assist their patients by calling the American Kidney Fund Patient Services Department at 1-800-638-8299. The American Kidney Fund does not accept Disaster Relief grant applications directly from patients.

Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition (KCER) - www.kcercoalition.com

Ongoing Call for Volunteers

Following the Disaster Summit in January 2006, the Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition (KCER) began compiling a list of individuals interested in assisting in the event of a future emergency or disaster. Registering as a volunteer does not necessarily mean that you will be called for every disaster that occurs. People will be called as needed. Please note that volunteers will be responsible for their own transportation to the disaster area. Click below to provide the requested information and take the first step to be a volunteer.

Background Information

Final Report from the January 2006 Disaster Summit (July 1, 2006)

In January 2006 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hosted a Disaster Summit in Washington, DC, to talk about the Hurricane Katrina experience and lessons learned. The Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition (which includes ANNA) was formed, and the Coalition immediately undertook the work of developing strategies for emergency preparedness and disaster response. The Kidney Community Emergency Response Coalition (KCER) created a Planning Group and eight Response Groups, each with a specific action agenda to collect resources. The Final Reports of the Response Groups and related documents are available below:

Assistance Available for Facilities

An Emergency Hotline is available for facilities to contact in the event of a disaster or emergency. The number is 888-335-4363 (888-33KIDNEY). If your facility requires assistance from volunteers, please contact your ESRD Network. If the Network is unable to assist, they will contact KCER.

Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals (ESAR-VHP)

ESAR-VHP is a federal program created to support states and territories in establishing standardized volunteer registration programs for disasters and public health and medical emergencies. The program, administered on the state level, verifies health professionals' identification and credentials so that they can respond more quickly when disaster strikes. By registering through ESAR-VHP, volunteers' identities, licenses, credentials, accreditations, and hospital privileges are all verified in advance, saving valuable time in emergency situations.

Information Related to Past Emergencies

Please note that this information may not be applicable to other emergencies/disasters

  • H1N1 Flu (Novel Influenza A)
  • Haiti - Click here for information pertaining to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. 
  • Hurricane Gustav - Click here for information pertaining to Hurricane Gustav. 
  • Hurricanes Katrina/Rita - Click here for information pertaining to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.