1. Public Health Seattle & King County Incident Command System Overview May 2004

2. Today We’re Going to Look at: n Incident Command System (ICS) n The role and responsibilities of the Incident Commander n How to apply ICS in Public Health Centers

3. ICS is: n A way to: –organize people, resources and information –prioritize decisions –provide direction to people –communicate consistently and reliably

4. ICS Limitations: n Needs strong leaders n Must be used by all in the event

5. Why Does Public Health Need to Use ICS During an Emergency? n Quick, informed decisions need to be made n It’s not business as usual n We will be coordinating with response partners who are using ICS n It is a requirement for federal HLS grant eligibility

6. During an Emergency Public Health Uses ICS to: n Get organized n Establish a clear chain of command n Prioritize what needs to be done n Make coordinated decisions quickly n Streamline communications n Speak the same language as other emergency response organizations

7. What is ICS Structure?

8. ICS Sections - (ALPO) n Administration/Finance n Logistics n Planning n Operations

9. Management Concepts of ICS: n Chain of Command n Span of control n Manage by Objectives n Consistent organizational structure n Integrated communications

10. Incident Commander n ALWAYS designated at the beginning of each incident n Person in charge n Sets priorities and ensures they are met

11. Incident Commander n Designates Team Leaders n Stays informed and ensures others are informed n Identifies and resolves problems

12. Characteristics of an Incident Commander n Cool under pressure n Aware of authorities and responsibilities n Proactive and flexible

13. Characteristics of an Incident Commander n Able to select qualified team leaders and delegate responsibility to them n Capable of making difficult decisions (without consensus) n Capable of prioritizing decisions and actions

14. Incident Commanders Do Not: n Know everything n Try to do everything themselves n Think and act in a vacuum n Make decisions “subjectively”

15. Public Health ICS

16. Public Health Center ICS

17. PH Center Teams n Operations n Safety n Triage n Staging n Information n Initial Response

18. Initial Response Team n May activate when events occur during non-business hours n Comprised of a small number of staff n Reports to site to assess situation n Advises the site chain of command on impacts and response needs

19. Triage n Establishes a triage point n Obtain medical supplies and provide first aid until transport arrives n Documents treatment given to victims n Participates on sweep team to: –stabilize victims –provide first aid

20. Operations n Manages and requests resources n Establishes and monitors communications n Arranges for storage of emergency supplies

21. Safety n Coordinates transport and evacuation n Distribute disaster supplies n Coordinates accident reports n Participates in a sweep team to assess: –building status –victims –functionality of critical utilities (gas, water etc.)

22. Information n Provides information about: –emergency event –response activities –what volunteers are needed

23. Staging n Participates on sweep team n Gets resources for transporting victims n Works with triage team to transport victims to triage point n Sets up staging area to receive EMS n Maintains transport log n Assures that injured are transported based on severity of injury

24. Summary n ICS is a management tool based on: –a defined organizational structure –fundamental management concepts n Requires strong leadership and teamwork n Public Health can use ICS to: –better define our disaster roles –organize our internal resources –coordinate with our partners

25. Now it’s Your Turn: Incident Command Scenarios

26. Scenario #1 n Please see scenario #1 handout. n Put yourself in the position of Site Manager at your facility.

27. As site manager, what would you do first? n Be cool - stay in control n Assess the situation –What are the hazards and consequences? –Are your staff, clients, facility at risk? –Could this event exceed your capabilities? n Make a decision - activate the plan?

28. Questions to ask yourself: n Should you activate your Emergency Operations Plan? n Why or Why not? n What implications will your staff and facility face? n Over what time period? n Can you handle this event with your normal structure and systems?

29. If the plan is activated… n Which teams should be staffed? n Why?

30. What are the first priorities you would establish as incident commander? 1.___________________________________________ 2.___________________________________________ 3.___________________________________________ 4.___________________________________________

31. Scenario #2 n Please see scenario # 2 handout n Divide into discussion groups of 4 - 6 n Put yourself in the position of Site Manager at your facility. n Be prepared to present answers to the following questions

32. Questions: n Are there risks to your Center, staff, clients? n What are those risks? n Should your Emergency Operations Plan be activated? n Why?

33. Questions Continued: n If your plan is activated, which Emergency Teams should be staffed? n What would those teams do?

34. What are the first priorities you would establish as incident commander? 1.___________________________________________ 2.___________________________________________ 3.___________________________________________ 4.___________________________________________

35. Scenario #3 n Small Group Exercise n Divide into groups n Elect a site manager for your group n Read the following scenario and prepare to brief the PH EOC regarding this incident

36. Group Discussion: n What are some of the immediate impacts this event might have on: –Staff –Clients –The facility?

37. Briefing Questions: n Site Manager: –Who is the Incident Commander for the facility? n Incident Commander: –How will you develop your first priorities? –What are they? –How will you communicate those priorities to your staff?

38. Briefing Questions: n Incident Commander: –What is the ICS structure for your center? (which teams you have activated) Assign Team Leaders from your group n Team Leaders –Explain what your team will do to accomplish the Incident Commander’s priorities?

39. Group Discussion: n Who would you notify outside your center? n When should they be notified? n What would you tell them?

40. Questions?