Emergency Preparedness:Becoming a Part of Regional Planning for the Unexpected ACHA June 2014

Scenario

First 24 hours

A bioengineering grad student at your universitybecomes angered and irrational because his advisor rejects his proposed anthrax research project as ” unethical”

. The student decides to demonstrate the efficiency of his spore delivery apparatus by blowing naturally occurring anthrax spores into the football stadium while he worked behind the counter of a pizza stand during the homecoming football game attended by 60,000 people.

To make sure his work would be recognized, he left a bag of white powder and a note for the police when he left the pizza stand.

Within hours the FBI counterterrorism squad confirms that the powder contains highly refined anthrax spores.

At 24 hours the squad confirms that anthrax spores have been spread throughout both halls of Memorial Stadium, and are detectable in the homes of several randomly selected individuals who attended the game. At 24 hours the squad confirms that anthrax spores have been spread throughout both halls of Memorial Stadium, and are detectable in the homes of several randomly selected individuals who attended the game.

It is assumed that clinical cases of inhalational anthrax will emerge in a few days.

Regional health planners decide to distribute a thirty to sixty day supply of antibiotic to all 180,000 people in Champaign County within the next 48 hours.

They also decide that they need capacity for 1000 hospital beds in a community which has only 500 total, and daily census runs about 90%.

It could happen at your university Recent major outbreaks –Mumps –Meningitis –Multiple casualties

Potential University Resources BuildingsBrainsMusclePoliceFire work force air port MoneyPeople volunteer force Defined Community

Coordination with Community roles of hospital and other agencies CUPHD Red Cross PoliceFireAmbulance Government Leaders

Calling in resources FireAmbulance National Guard Press/mediaPrisons Traffic control

Definitions Surge Facility Strategic National Stockpile

Specific University Involvement Works with community on several possible scenarios –Dry pipes –Boil orders –Distribution scenario –Surge Hospital set up –Contagion –Power failure –Radioactive release or toxic gas Written plans exist for each of the above

Most Important of All A living business continuity plan

How to start Dialogue with administration –Find out about the general university posture Dialogue with collaborators –Public health –Hospitals –Red Cross –Government officials –Make a business continuity plan –Make a plan to help-wherever

Plan Testing Table top exercises –Key people in room –Simulated disaster Focus on decision making, communication, policy gaps Live exercises –A simulated disaster with real people acting as victims Focus is on actual mechanics of response, uses “injects”

This is what a live exercise looks like Open a surge hospital –Go from zero to sixty is just 2 hours

This is what a community mass distribution looks like One of five in our county

This is our mass distribution facility Home of the Fighting Illini basketball team

This is what we turn it into if needed

Avian Flu/Pandemic Planning

The Game Plan Detect “bad” flu early –Surveillance Stop spread –Restrict travel, stop public events, stay at home Form a ring around every patient –Limit contact –Treat everyone in the ring Stop multiplication-eradicate local poultry “Buy” time, vaccinate if available

Planning FederalStateLocal The Bush Proposal submitted November 1, 2005

Federal Planning Significant planning already accomplished for possible bioterrorism –Much is adaptable to Avian Flu Strategic National Stockpile Surge Hospital Planning Biologic Detection Systems

Biohazard Detection System Installed at Champaign Postal Facility—Aug 05 Able to test only for Anthrax No false positives..yet Have to medicate Postal Staff if alert happens

State Planning Communication regarding SNS, surge Distribution support New Legislation regarding “special powers”

Local Planning Live tests accomplished –Surge Facility –Mass distribution –Communication –Coordinated response

Two Principal Local Plans Activation of Surge Hospital –Carle is the lead agent –McKinley participation at discretion of Chancellor Broad Emergency Distribution –McKinley is the major community distribution site Four other sites will operate in Champaign County So far, Chancellor feels we need to service students and employees

University Planning-You Try It!