U.S. Rep. Dale Strong announced Thursday that he secured nearly $2.6 million in federal funding to strengthen emergency preparedness systems at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children, including the installation of backup generators designed to protect critical care operations during severe weather or power outages.

The $2,597,000 allocation was included through Community Project Funding in the Fiscal Year 2026 Homeland Appropriations Bill.

According to Strong’s office, the funding will support upgraded backup power systems and improve system redundancy at the hospital, helping ensure uninterrupted care for vulnerable patients across North Alabama and southern Tennessee.

The hospital serves as North Alabama’s primary pediatric referral center and provides specialized neonatal, pediatric and maternal care. Officials said the facility’s Pediatric Emergency Department, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Regional Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit rely heavily on dependable backup power during emergencies.

Strong toured portions of the hospital Thursday, including the NICU, to highlight the need for infrastructure investments tied to emergency preparedness.

“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,” Strong said. “For newborns in the NICU, children in critical care, and mothers depending on lifesaving treatment, even a brief interruption in power can be detrimental.”

He said the funding will help ensure the hospital can continue operating during emergencies.

“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,” Strong said.

Hospital leadership said the project will strengthen the region’s healthcare infrastructure and disaster readiness.

“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 Health System. “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.”

Doughty also thanked Strong and federal partners for supporting the project.

The hospital is part of the Huntsville Hospital Health System and is designated as critical infrastructure by FEMA because of its role in serving high-risk pediatric and neonatal patients throughout the Tennessee Valley.

Strong’s office said the Women & Children’s funding is part of nearly $36 million in FY26 Community Project Funding he has secured for Alabama’s 5th Congressional District.

Got a tip for OTR? Send your tip to [email protected] with related photo/video, your name, phone number, and e-mail address.