THE COALITION AUGMENTS LOCAL OPERATIONAL READINESS TO MEET THE HEALTH AND MEDICAL CHALLENGES POSED BY A CATASTROPHIC INCIDENT OR EVENT. THIS IS ACHIEVED BY ENGAGING AND EMPOWERING ALL PARTS OF THE HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY, AND BY STRENGTHENING THE EXISTING RELATIONSHIPS TO UNDERSTAND AND MEET THE ACTUAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL NEEDS OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY. THE COALITION IS INTENDED AS A VEHICLE TO COORDINATE AND MAINTAIN CURRENT HOSPITAL PREPAREDNESS LEVELS WHILE ENHANCING DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RESILIENCY IN OTHER PORTIONS OF THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. THESE EFFORTS ALSO HELP IMPROVE MEDICAL SURGE CAPACITY AND CAPABILITY, FURTHER ENHANCING A COMMUNITY'S HEALTH SYSTEM PREPAREDNESS FOR DISASTERS AND PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES.