Outline the evolution of the Incident Management System (IMS) model Provide an overview of the principles of IMS Provide some practical applications of IMS for public health

What is IMS? A way of creating (some!) order out of chaos A framework A tool

Terminology For our purposes, all of these terms are interchangeable: –Incident Management System (IMS) –Incident Command System (ICS) –Hospital Incident Command System (HICS)

Why Should We Care?? In day-to-day operations, health care organizations often very insular –“Our” procedures don’t have to be same as “their” procedures –Applies within as well as between organizations In mass event, we cannot operate in a vacuum! –Need way to communicate / coordinate efforts

IMS - Components 1.Unified command structure 2.Common terminology 3.Modular organization 4.Integrated communication 5.Consolidated action plans 6.Job Action Sheets 7.Manageable & sensible span of control 8.Designated facilities 9.Comprehensive resource management

IMS Structure

Incident Command Directs activities of personnel in Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Most senior trained responder –In Public Health, may start as on-call Medical Officer of Health, Nurse, Manager or Public Health Inspector As response progresses, IC position may be “handed off” to more senior person

Operations Directs “front-line” response to event Implements response activities as determined by Incident Commander Maintains communication between EOC and site Requests and assigns resources as directed

Planning “What’s next?” Control and flow of all information Data collection, analysis and forecasting Development of response and recovery objectives and strategies Mutual Aid requests

Logistics Support Operations Acquire and allocate resources and provide all materials, equipment, and personnel required Application of additional resources provided by Mutual Aid

Finance Tracking of expenses Funding Government Financial Aid requests Financial Aid distribution

Integrated Communications Who? Liaison Officer (in EOC) –Point of contact with external agencies (EMS; other Public Health Units, hospitals, MOHLTC etc.) Public Information Officer (in EOC) –Deals with media / public

Job Action Sheet Role title Reports to Mission Tasks –Immediate –Intermediate –Extended

Public Health Incident Manager Liaison Public Information OperationsPlanning LogisticsAdministration Mass Vaccination/Post Exposure Prophylaxis Hotline Operation Case Management/Contact Tracing Environmental Inspection/ Sampling Situation Assessment Staffing & Resource Needs Resource Deployment Documentation Demobilization & Recovery Facilities Human Resources Nutrition/staff accommodation Claims/ Compensation Costing Procurement Reception Centre/Mass Care Communications Equipment Chair, Board of Health Medical Officer of Health Senior Management Team Epidemiological Investigations Psychosocial Intervention Public Health IMS Model Miscellaneous Supplies

Summary IMS is a framework for emergency response –Ideal for health sector Many advantages: –Scaleable to size of event –Common terminology / organization of roles –Manageable span of control –Task-oriented approach Job action sheets Incident Action Plan