Disaster Preparedness & Response Resource Center

TMA Whitepaper: Good Samaritan Law

Expansion of the Good Samaritan law to volunteer health care professionals and sponsoring health care institutions for care, assistance, or advice provided during a disaster

A General Overview of Senate Bill 752 (86th Legislature) 

Volunteering

Volunteer to help (Link to the Texas Disaster Volunteer Registry)

The Texas Disaster Volunteer Registry is run by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Texas physicians can sign up with the registry as a volunteer to provide medical help to Texas communities during or after a disaster.  

• Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 Federal Law

Helping Your Practice Survive an Emergency or Disaster

Every healthcare office should maintain written policies for addressing any kind of emergency (e.g., utility disruption or a manmade disaster) and particularly inclement weather and hurricanes. Physicians should also be aware of emergency management plans in the county or community. Access emergency preparedness resources on TexasReady.gov.

Here are a few important tips for you and your staff when dealing with an emergency or disaster:

• Know where your office gas, electricity, and water connections are in case you need to turn them off. Keep back-up generators or a storage plan for your refrigerating systems.
• Protect your patient records accordingly.
• Prepare your staff with employee contact lists and information sheets so you and your staff can communicate if an evacuation is necessary.

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• Additionally, the following website offers preparedness tips for businesses:
• -Ready Business - FEMA

Preparedness Information for Your Patients

Physicians can play a significant role in helping patients prepare and respond to disaster situations. Patients, especially those with fragile health, should be counseled on the importance of having a disaster plan in place for themselves and their families.

In addition, physicians can help their patients prepare by:

• Reminding special needs patients frequently of the 2-1-1 Texas system and instructing them to register with 2-1-1 if they think they will need assistance.
• Providing guidance to patients with special needs, including pregnant women and those with chronic conditions or disabilities.
• Discussing maintenance of medications and equipment during a disaster, as well as how to obtain additional medication or equipment if needed.
• Directing patients to preparedness planning resources such as ready.gov.