Big Horn Hospital Association Tests Emergency Response Plans

HARDIN, MT -- On May 9, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) together with the Big Horn Hospital Association and local area partners successfully tested emergency response plans during a tabletop exercise.  

CISA routinely partners with industry and government entities to plan and practice a wide range of possible emergency scenarios, a walkthrough of which is called a “tabletop exercise.” The goal of each exercise is to unite partners and stakeholders through a mock event where they practice, as a community, response to an emergency. Exercising response plans is an important part of maintaining the security of our national infrastructure.

“In rural communities, where resources may be limited, emergency preparedness is critical. Our hospital conducts regular emergency response tests to ensure we’re ready for any crisis,” said Kristi Gatrell, Big Horn Hospital Association CEO. “These tests help us refine our protocols, engage our partners, and deliver effective communication. When seconds count, our rural community relies on our well-coordinated response.  Every step we take in preparedness contributes to the safety and well-being of our community.” 

Typically, exercise scenarios cover a broad array of physical security and cybersecurity topics, such as natural disasters, pandemics, civil disturbances, industrial control systems, election security, ransomware, vehicle ramming, insider threats, active assailants, and unmanned aerial systems. Staff from Big Horn Hospital worked with CISA to design the exercise, matching its objectives, scenarios, and discussion questions to the current needs and emergency response plans of the hospital association and surrounding community, including emergency first responders and the neighborhood.

“The security and resilience of our national infrastructure is a responsibility shared across the public and private sectors,” said Shawn Graff, Regional Director for CISA Region 8, which includes Montana. That is why more than 45 active players and observers participated in the tabletop exercise over the course of several hours.  The exercise demonstrated the commitment of federal, state, local and tribal public health, law enforcement, and emergency response organizations to ensure a secure and safe environment for everyone.

“When we practice together, we improve our ability to respond together,” Graff said. “You can never be too prepared.”

Learn more at Training | CISA.