U.S. Representative Dale Strong, R-Alabama, announced on Thursday that he has secured more than $2.5 million to provide backup generators for the Women and Children’s Department at Huntsville Hospital.
The $2,597,000 in community project funding appropriations, secured in the fiscal year 2026 Homeland Security Appropriations Act, will go toward strengthening emergency preparedness and system redundancy, which Strong’s office described as measures that ensure the hospital can treat patients during unexpected power disruptions and extreme weather events.
Strong toured areas of the hospital, including its neonatal intensive care unit, on Thursday. In a statement released alongside his announcement, Strong emphasized the need for secure emergency power in the NICU, reflecting on his experience as an EMT and volunteer firefighter.
“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.”
“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 added.
Huntsville Hospital President and Chief Operating Officer Tracy Doughty expressed gratitude to Strong for securing the funding.
“This funding strengthens our ability to care for patients at Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children when they need us most,” Doughty said. “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.”
Huntsville Hospital for Women and Children is North Alabama’s only hospital dedicated to advanced pediatric and neonatal care.
Strong’s office highlighted that the Huntsville Hospital Health System is designated as critical infrastructure by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, writing that the designation underscores “the need for reliable backup power and uninterrupted care for vulnerable patients” in the system’s pediatric and neonatal health operations.
The funding marks nearly $36 million secured by Strong in fiscal year 2026 Community Project Funding for the 5th District.
