As we reflect on the impact that Hurricane Melissa had on islands in the Caribbean, there must be a continued investment in preparedness, and that’s just what the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is doing: standing ready, able, and fully equipped to support humanitarian efforts.
At the heart of ASPR’s mission is a sacred charge: to save lives and protect Americans from public health and medical threats. From pandemics to bioterrorism, from chemical attacks to natural disasters, ASPR leads the entire federal government in preparedness because waiting is not an option. The administration’s trust in ASPR’s abilities has transformed that mission into a living, breathing reality.
ASPR might not have a high profile, but it always stands at the ready, prepping the United States for potential disasters and ready to answer the call when they strike. Since Hurricane Helene made landfall in the U.S. in the fall of 2024, ASPR’s new, highly experienced leadership has moved rapidly to improve its responses, strengthening baseline capabilities and programs sluggish to respond during the Biden administration. That devastating storm illuminated the need for better, more proactive leadership at ASPR. Thanks to the bold vision of the second Trump administration and the steadfast guidance of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., ASPR has not merely responded to crises; it has built a shield of readiness that protects every American, every day.
Since January, ASPR has operated at the forefront of the administration’s commitment to national strength through preparedness. This is not politics; it is patriotism in action. Under President Donald Trump’s directives, ASPR’s leadership has been empowered to prioritize American lives, American innovation, and American self-reliance. The results speak louder than any promise: billions invested, records shattered, and lives safeguarded — all because this administration refuses to gamble with our future.
Consider the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. In 2025 alone, BARDA secured 10 FDA approvals, bringing the total number of stockpiled medical countermeasures to 105 vital products. These are not commercial drugs; they are strategic lifesavers for threats that are not of interest or bring financial gain to the private market. Thanks to the administration’s unwavering support, ASPR obligated billions of dollars into advanced research, development, and procurement of these critical products, ensuring that when the next crisis hits, America will have what it needs — right here, right now.
The Strategic National Stockpile stands as a $13 billion testament to this administration’s foresight. The Trump administration has supported efforts to sustain this federal resource, and the SNS remains the only available capability that can counter a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear event. Learning from the pandemic, ASPR, under Trump’s direction, rebuilt supply chains from the ground up. In 2025, the agency awarded critical contracts to expand domestic manufacturing of personal protective equipment and active pharmaceutical ingredients. This isn’t just policy; it strengthens American jobs, American security, and American independence.
Globally, ASPR extends the administration’s hand of strength and compassion. In 2025, the agency delivered nearly 240,000 monkeypox vaccine doses to six African nations, over 550 therapeutic treatments for symptomatic patients, and 100 courses of Ebola therapy plus diagnostic tools to the Democratic Republic of Congo. These actions don’t just save lives abroad; they protect Americans at home by stopping threats before they reach our borders.
Closer to home, ASPR has forged an unbreakable partnership with state, local, territorial, and tribal communities — exactly as Executive Order 14239 intended. The Medical Reserve Corps now includes 717 units and 268,000 dedicated volunteers, ready to deploy at a moment’s notice. Over the summer, the SNS hosted 613 SLTT partners in listening sessions to design jurisdictional stockpiles — a game-changing innovation that puts power in local hands and reduces strain on federal resources.
Training has never been more rigorous or realistic. In June, ASPR led Tranquil Passport, a four-day, full-scale exercise with over 50 partner organizations, testing patient movement and unveiling the cutting-edge Portable Biocontainment Unit. Meanwhile, ASPR’s Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange answered 13,000 technical assistance requests and supported over 70 active incidents, proving that help is always just one call away.
When duty called in 2025, ASPR answered flawlessly. The agency activated for nine National Special Security Events and five major disasters, deploying 1,300 National Disaster Medical System personnel. In St. Croix, after a crippling cyber incident, ASPR’s telemedicine teams processed over 250 radiology studies, restoring care overnight. Following the tragic American Airlines crash in Arlington, Virginia, NDMS DMORT teams and behavioral health specialists provided compassionate, professional support to a grieving nation.
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This is what leadership looks like. Even as fiscal 2026 funding awaits final approval, ASPR presses forward — monitoring threats 24/7 and advancing countermeasures against the most pressing dangers. The administration’s trust in ASPR’s leader has yielded innovation born of necessity, efficiency born of clarity, and results born of resolve.
Hurricane Helene reminded us how fragile life can be. Hurricane Melissa reminds us how strong America has become because this administration chose preparedness over complacency. ASPR is not just ready; it is the reason America sleeps safer each night. Trump, the HHS secretary, and ASPR are leading the way, ensuring the United States never faces a crisis unprepared under our watch.
John Knox is principal assistant deputy secretary for the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response.