Dr. Charles W. Beadling Central Asia Regional Health Security Conference April 2012 Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

Overview: Phases of Effective Disaster Response Disaster Risk Reduction, Disaster Preparedness Disaster Preparedness Cycle Simulation/Exercise as a Tool Purposes Table Top Live What are your main threats?

3 Phases of Disaster Response PrepareRespondRecover

Prepare Actions taken before an incident: Analyzing threats, risks Risk reduction Planning Rehearsal (Exercise) Community education

Disaster Risk Disaster Risk is frequently calculated as: Risk = Hazard X Vulnerability Hazard: threat; the frequency of potential adverse event Frequency of a hurricane hitting Florida = 1.4 per year Vulnerability: likelihood of adverse outcomes Concentrations of populations in flood plains Socio-economic vulnerability, urbanization

Disaster Preparedness Reduces Disaster Risk Methods of risk reduction Prevention Transportation safety Industrial standards Limit adverse effects Mitigation: Improve structures in seismic area Improve Disaster Preparedness

Respond First Responders Fire, Police, Medical Order on chaos Coordination Command structure Decontamination? Chemical, Biological, Radiological Persisting threats? Secondary device Search and rescue

Recovery Short term – days to weeks Clean up Essential services Psychological support Long term – months to years Rebuild

Preparedness Cycle Plan Organize, Train & Equip Exercise Evaluate & Improve Capability Building

Plan Collect and analyze data What crises have occurred? What was the result? Develop laws, policies, plans and procedures General “all hazards” Specific threats National, local levels need to be aligned

Organize, Train and Equip Organize Leadership and teams Triage, Treatment, Decontamination, Evacuation, etc. Train: Individuals and teams Performance standards Equip: Depend on size, roles

Exercises

Test plans – identify gaps Improve proficiency Familiarize with plans Familiarize with roles Assess performance Validate certification

Exercises Improve coordination Improve communication Identify risks for reduction Low risk environment Table top exercises Live exercises

Table Top Exercises Advantages: No need for equipment Not effected by weather Test plans for gaps Gain experience with roles and responsibilities Practice coordination and communication Those without experience learn from those with experience Disadvantages: Lose effect of time & space No experience operating equipment Risk unrealistic solutions

Live Exercises Advantages: More realistic experience Exposure to weather, terrain Disadvantages: Expense Time lost from work Impact of weather

Community involvement Workplace exercises Fire response Evacuation School drills – shelter, active shooter Test emergency warning – sirens, radio/television announcements City evacuation routes

Evaluate and Improve Review actions after exercise Were there situations not adequately covered in plan? Was there adequate resources – protective equipment, food stocks? Correct plans, resources, training as needed There will be another opportunity – if it is a real disaster, be ready!

Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program A standardized methodology and terminology for exercise design, development, conduct, evaluation, and improvement planning Policy & guidance Online training courses Tools & technology Technical assistance

Summary 3 Phases to a disaster Prepare, Respond, Recover Risk = Hazard X Vulnerability Preparedness Cycle: Plan Organize, Train & Equip Exercise Evaluate & Improve

Summary: Exercises Test plans – identify gaps Improve proficiency Familiarize with plans Familiarize with roles Assess performance Validate certification Improve coordination Improve communication Identify risks for reduction Low risk environment Table top exercises Live exercises

Questions?