Hospitals are often at the center of activity when a disaster occurs. The well-known examples of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Hurricane Katrina, and the 2011 Joplin, Missouri, tornado demonstrate the devastating impact that disasters have on local hospitals. In addition to maintaining vital services to patients during the response period, hospitals also support emergency personnel and manage a potential surge of disaster victims. As a result of high-profile catastrophes raising awareness of the responsibilities of hospitals, organizations from the Joint Commission to the Department of Health & Human Services have developed standards, initiatives, and resources to help hospitals with mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. These four phases can also be described as “disaster management activities” 1.