DISASTER IN A RURAL COUNTY – A PUBLIC HEALTH SIMULATION

DISASTER IN A RURAL COUNTY – A PUBLIC HEALTH SIMULATION

Using the following template, you will participate in a disaster scenario. Utilizing the ICS structure and research on weather-related incidents, complete sections of the template as directed. You will assume the role of a public health professional and make decisions/prepare documents as needed. All the basic information concerning the disaster is contained in the scenario. Upon completion, save your file in the following format SmithUnit9Project.doc; substitute your own last name for “Smith”.

Situation: Severe thunderstorms, tornado, flash flooding which occurred overnight.

DAY 1, 0700 hours – The public health goal is to ensure that residents are kept safe from the myriad public health concerns as the community rebuilds. You have no detailed information on the severity of the situation at this time.

DAY 1, 0800 hours – On your way to your office, a reporter stops you and asks the following questions. Write your replies in the spaces provided . Give substantive answers where possible or refer the reporter to a more appropriate agency. Remember, you could be quoted on the local news so think before you speak.

Question 1: Do you have time for a quick question?

REPLY 1 :

Question 2: We have heard unconfirmed reports of deaths from last night’s tornado. Can you tell us more?

REPLY 2:

Question 3: Can you give us an idea of how extensive the damage is?

REPLY 3:

DAY 1, 0810 hours – The first Incident Command Briefing is scheduled and the Public Health Director, Dr. Burke, is contacted by the Incident Commander and asked to attend due to the immediate and long-term public health impact of the storm. You accompany him.

The first speaker is Jim Anderson, the Fire Chief. He reports the following items:

a. There was an F4 tornado at 0200 hours with 3 confirmed deaths. Fire and EMS provided medical response and transported the wounded to the local hospital.

b. A tanker truck carrying sodium hydroxide overturned off the highway. A hazardous materials team was contacted and is on the way to that location.

c. There is severe flooding and the southwest portion of the county is cut off.

d. The bridge over the major river in the county is impassible.

e. Public works is clearing roads, organizing sandbag crews, and closing off impassible roads.

f. The power is out over most of the county.

g. The county emergency manager announced that the EOC (Emergency Operations Center) is opening and the first briefing will be at 1000 hours. All agencies are to send a senior representative. Dr. Burke will attend as will you.

The Incident Commander asks if there are any public health concerns.

Dr. Burke, the public health director, asks you to make brief remarks identifying the four most important items for his department to address. Write your response below .

What four public health items would you mention at this point?

1.

2.

3.

4.

Why did you feel these were the most important?

Day 1, 0915 hours – You are now tasked to establish the public health department Incident Command System. When you arrive at the public health office, only eight employees were able to get to work. The others were delayed by the storm. The good news is that all of them are NIMS trained.

What individual planning principles should all public health staff have in effect to maximize their ability to come to work during an emergency? List the principles below (you may list more than four):

1.

2.

3.

4.

Looking at the employees who are present, select your Section Chiefs and Command Staff.

Place the name of your choice next to the Assignment in the table below and write a brief justification for your selection.

You can choose from the following employees.

1. Ben Linder – Director of Communications. 3 years experience; trained in reducing health disparities; facilitates focus groups.

2. Betsy Snyder – Receptionist. 6 years experience; project management training; excellent communications skills.

3. Brent Volstad – Health Planner. 6 years experience; trained in cultural responsive health planning; knows all the local community organizations; represents the department at outside meetings.

4. Seth Stattmiller – Environmental Health Supervisor. 15 years experience; trained in emergency preparedness and response; has been involved in emergency exercises; strong supervisory skills.

5. Sharon King – Epidemiologist. 7 years experience; community based behavior intervention training; good problem solver.

6. Lane Harris – Health educator. 6 years experience; risk communication training; good contacts with local media.

7. Mary Schneider – Bookeeper. 3 years experience; county finance system training; spreadsheet and database expertise.

8. Anna Hayes – Public health nurse supervisor. 2 years experience; mass dispensing site training; organized; detail oriented.

Place the name of your choice next to the Assignment in the table below and write a brief justification for your selection.

Complete the organization chart below by inserting the name of your selected ICS members in front of their job title. Dr. Burke is already on the chart.

Day 1, 1000 hours – The first EOC briefing is convened. The EOC command structure is noted on the following organizational chart.

Mr. Newhouse, the EOC commander, gives the following briefing:

1. The updated EOC ICS chart is now published with the names of the command staff and section chiefs.

2. The rain is tapering off.

Ms. Brower, Operations Chief, speaks next.

1. Search and rescue is taking place in the most damaged areas.

2. Six confirmed dead with 14 injured.

3. No power at the water treatment facility; sewage is backing up and most of the county is without water. Houses with water wells have contamination from flooding.

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