The French Model of Regional Organization for Disaster Response: Specific Features of the Regional Reference Health Establishment of Occitanie (RRHE Occitanie)

Summary: As part of the French health system’s response to exceptional events, a regional organization has been set up. The decree of January 18, 2024, appoints the RRHEs and describes their reference missions, capacities, and means of care and diagnosis. The Toulouse University Hospital has been designated as an RRHE and provides reference missions for CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) risks, as well as climatic and medico-psychological risks. It provides a diagnostic and therapeutic care mission for patients in the context of a CBRN event or one causing numerous somatic and psychological injuries. It has provided expertise and technical assistance to the Regional Health Agency in the development of operational plans and in the creation of adapted care pathways. Through technical expertise, it has supported the region’s health establishments in the preparation and local management of Exceptional Health Situations (EHS). The RRHE has developed and managed a network of healthcare professionals comprising independent healthcare professionals or those working in healthcare establishments, who are responsible for EHSs as part of the care pathway. Finally, it has organized and coordinated the training of EHS trainers and regional EHS referents, as well as coordinated regional and interregional exercises. In 2024, 26 RRHEs in France were financed by a specific grant. At Toulouse University Hospital, it financed medical time for each risk, managerial time, pharmacist time, non-medical staff, logisticians, secretariat, and laboratory technicians. The RRHE Occitanie has established a multidisciplinary team specific to the Occitanie region, which, despite its recent appointment, responds effectively to the missions entrusted to it.