Be ready to serve when Arkansas needs you most
When disaster strikes, respiratory therapists are often among the first called and the last to leave. Whether the emergency is a natural disaster, a pandemic surge, or a system-wide medical crisis, RTs stand on the front lines, supporting vulnerable patients who rely on our skills, speed, and stability.
In Arkansas, seasonal weather threats, including tornadoes, ice storms, and flooding, make it essential for healthcare professionals to be prepared. As a licensed RT, you are part of a vital emergency response system. Here’s how to stay ready.
📌 Five Ways to Stay Prepared
1. Keep Your Credentials Current
Ensure your license is up to date and all required CEUs are completed. Have digital and printed copies of your license, CPR card, and photo ID in case of emergency activation.
2. Build a Personal Go-Bag
A ready-to-grab bag should include:
- One or two sets of scrubs
- Valid ID and copies of credentials
- PPE (N95, gloves, hand sanitizer)
- Snacks, water, medications
- Flashlight, phone charger, extra batteries
- Notebook and pen for patient tracking or shift notes
3. Know Your Facility’s Plan
Be familiar with your hospital or clinic’s disaster protocols. Participate in drills when offered. Know your role during evacuation, code triage, or supply shortages. If you’re in a supervisory or educator role, help ensure your team knows the steps, too.
4. Stay Connected to Statewide Alerts
Sign up for:
- Arkansas Department of Health Alerts
- FEMA Wireless Emergency Alerts
- Regional healthcare coalition communication platforms
5. Be Available to Serve
If you’re willing and able, consider registering with volunteer networks like the Arkansas Medical Reserve Corps. These organizations coordinate emergency staffing and ensure licensed professionals are mobilized safely and effectively.
🧠 For Clinical Educators & Leaders
Encourage students and new hires to develop a preparedness mindset early. Consider including disaster readiness in clinical onboarding, orientation, and capstone discussions. Our profession’s reliability in crisis is one of its defining features—let’s prepare the next generation to carry that standard forward.
🫁 In Closing
You are more than a clinician—you’re part of Arkansas’s essential healthcare backbone. Whether the power is out, the roads are closed, or the need is overwhelming, your training and heart for service can bring calm to chaos.
Be ready. Be reachable. Be the reason someone breathes easier.
