Event Registration

NW District Education May 2026 – Emergency Readiness and Crisis Response for Long-Term Care

Counts Toward CMS Emergency Preparedness Exercise Requirements

In Appendix Z (42 CFR §483.73), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requires nursing facilities to participate in a minimum of two emergency preparedness exercises annually, one of which may be a tabletop exercise. Participation in this education will fulfill this requirement. IHCA recommends you keep a copy of the agenda as well as copies of the handouts and your CEU certificate as proof of training.

Program Description

Be prepared for what matters most. This district education event is designed to help long-term care providers strengthen emergency preparedness plans and respond with confidence during high-risk situations. The day begins with an interactive emergency preparedness workshop focused on reviewing key planning elements, identifying common gaps and strengthening coordination with community resources, followed by an active shooter response training in the afternoon.

This program is designed for long-term care professionals responsible for emergency preparedness, operations and resident safety. Nursing facility administrators, assisted living leaders, directors of nursing, department heads and others involved in emergency planning will gain practical strategies to strengthen their preparedness efforts, identify gaps in current plans and improve coordination with staff and community partners to better protect residents and respond effectively during critical situations.

Participants will be encouraged to bring their facility’s emergency preparedness plan, evacuation plan and emergency contact lists to reference during the workshop, with time built in to review materials, discuss challenges and identify practical next steps they can implement right away.

Location

Buena Vista University
610 W 4^th St.
Storm Lake

Schedule

May 21, 2026

9:00 – 9:30 a.m.                      Registration/Check-In
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.            Beyond the Plan: Building Real-World Emergency Readiness in LTC
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.                     Lunch (provided)
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.                      Active Shooter Response Training

Session Descriptions

Beyond the Plan: Building Real-World Emergency Readiness in LTC – Speaker: Brian Feist

This interactive workshop is designed to help long-term care providers move beyond regulatory compliance and build practical, real-world emergency preparedness capabilities. Participants will review the core elements of an effective emergency preparedness program, explore common gaps seen across long-term care settings and discuss strategies to strengthen planning, communication and coordination.

Through facilitated discussion and scenario-based exercises, attendees will work through realistic emergencies such as severe weather events, power outages and evacuation situations. The session emphasizes collaboration with community partners—including emergency management, public health, EMS and health care organizations—to enhance coordination and response.

Participants are encouraged to bring their facility’s emergency preparedness plan and will leave with actionable steps to improve readiness, strengthen partnerships and better protect residents and staff during emergencies.

Active Shooter Response Training – Speaker: Dennis Fox

This training provides long-term care professionals with practical guidance on how to recognize, respond to and communicate during an active shooter event. The interactive session is designed to walk participants through realistic scenarios, exploring decision-making in high-stress situations, discussing coordination with staff and first responders and identifying strategies to protect residents and staff during a rapidly evolving incident.

Continuing Education Credit

This program is approved for 4.5 contact hours for:

• NF administrators
• Assisted living managers
• Department heads
• Activity professionals
• Nurses
• Social services

Registration Fees

Members:     $125 per person
This event is only available to IHCA members.

Speakers

Brian Feist, Director of Emergency Preparedness, Midwest QIN-QIO
Dennis Fox, Cattail Risk Management

Sponsored by: