Book excerpt: In the event of a disaster or public health emergency, individual agencies and hospitals cannot always effectively act alone. In order to provide a collaborative, comprehensive system of planning and response a Healthcare Emergency Response Coalition (HERC) is needed. This book introduces the concept of a HERC and demonstrates why and how a HERC is among the most effective tools for health emergency response and preparedness. Establishing a Healthcare Emergency Response Coalition addresses all matters related to instituting and developing a successful HERC. This Guide is based on Palm Beach County's experiences during the formation and implementation of their tried and tested HERC_now a national model_and can serve to direct your community in establishing its own HERC. It addresses the most fundamental questions of starting a HERC, such as - What is a HERC? - Why do we need a HERC? - How do we start a HERC - How should a HERC be structured? It also provides guidance for developing and sustaining a successful HERC by outlining the steps and activities needed to begin and providing a list of policies and procedures that can be implemented and resources that can be consulted. This information can be applied and customized to any community's specific needs and resources to implement a program that will address any size disaster or healthcare emergency that presents itself. This book provides myriad benefits to everyone invested in emergency preparedness for a community, from health officials and emergency response teams to government officials and fire and police departments, along with anyone else involved with preparing his or her community for disasters and public health emergencies.