Dale Strong Secures Funding to Bolster Emergency Preparedness at Women & Children’s Hospital

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Congressman Dale Strong announced today that he secured $2,597,000 in Community Project Funding through the FY26 Homeland Appropriations Bill to provide backup generators for Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children.

This project will strengthen emergency preparedness and system redundancy to ensure the hospital is able to care for patients across North Alabama during severe weather events or unexpected power disruptions.

As North Alabama's only hospital dedicated to advanced pediatric and neonatal care, Women & Children's serves as the region's pediatric referral center, providing specialized care for critically ill infants, children and mothers across North Alabama and Southern Tennessee. As part of the Huntsville Hospital Health System, Women and Children's is designated critical infrastructure by FEMA, underscoring the need for reliable backup power and uninterrupted care for vulnerable patients in the Pediatric Emergency Department, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and Regional Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Today, Congressman Strong toured areas of the hospital, including the NICU, to see firsthand the necessity of preparedness funding to support families across the Tennessee Valley.

"Having served as a firefighter and EMT for decades, I've seen how severe weather and natural disasters can cause widespread power outages and put the lives of vulnerable patients at risk. For newborns in the NICU, children in critical care, and mothers depending on lifesaving treatment, even a brief interruption in power can be detrimental," said Congressman Dale Strong. "This funding will help ensure the hospital can continue to care for our most vulnerable patients when they need it most, no matter the circumstances."

The Health System expressed gratitude to Congressman Strong for investing in the health and safety of North Alabama families.

"This funding strengthens our ability to care for patients at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children when they need us most," said Tracy Doughty, President and Chief Operating Officer of Huntsville Hospital. "A reliable, modern generator is critical to ensuring continuity of care for newborns, children and women across North Alabama, even in the face of disaster or power disruption. We are grateful to Congressman Dale Strong and our federal partners for investing in the health and safety of North Alabama families."

This funding marks nearly $36 million secured by Representative Strong in FY26 Community Project Funding for the Fifth District.

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