Erik Rosenbauer, Director of Security at the Brattleboro Retreat, has been elected chair of the Vermont Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Coalition (VHEPC). His one-year term began on Wednesday, July 1st.
VHEPC is a multi-disciplinary partnership that collaborates with its members, stakeholders, and surrounding communities to improve and expand emergency preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities across the state.
"I see my new role as continuing to build membership and involvement with our healthcare partners across Vermont," said Rosenbauer. "At the same time I want to play a role in increasing a unified response level of preparedness for all disasters."
VHEPC members include healthcare organizations, emergency medical services providers, emergency management agencies, public health professionals, jurisdictional entities, and business and volunteer organizations within the State of Vermont.
A member of VHEPC for the past four years, Rosenbauer was nominated to serve as chair by coalition membership and elected by membership vote.
He says by the end of his term he hopes VHEPC will be in a position to serve as a model for other states across the nation.
The Brattleboro Retreat, founded in 1834, is a not-for-profit, regional specialty psychiatric hospital and addiction treatment center, providing a full range of diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitation services for individuals and families of all ages. Recognized as a leader in the treatment of mental illness and addiction, the Brattleboro Retreat offers a high quality, individualized, comprehensive continuum of care including inpatient, partial hospitalization, residential and outpatient treatment.