Mass Fatality Incident Planning and Preparation in Montgomery County, Ohio2012 National Homeland Security Conference Columbus, OhioMay 22, 2012

Robert L. Hunkeler III, MFS*Kent E. Harshbarger, MD, JD, MBA*Kenneth M. Betz, MS

ARE YOU READY?If you received a cell phone call right now telling you there were 50 deaths in an incident in your jurisdiction, do you know how you would handle it?

OverviewDefinitionMass Fatality Incident Response PlanFundingResourcesExercise

IntroductionMontgomery County Coroners OfficeDayton, OhioPopulation 535,000 / 460 Square MilesContract Autopsy Services for 29 countiesAutopsies conducted for 1/3 of OhioMany contracted counties are rural4800 cases per year/1300 autopsies per year

DefinitionMass Fatality IncidentAn incident where the number of fatalities overwhelms local resources.Natural DisasterChemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, ExplosiveIncendiaryTransportation Incidents

DefinitionTerroristMass MurderEpidemicBuilding-Related MishapsIndustrial Incidents

Mass Fatality Incident Response PlanMontgomery County Coroners Office Mass Fatality Incident Response PlanDistribution/ContinuityCoordinationThumb drive to leadership/command trailerCaveat restricting access References

Mass Fatality Incident Response PlanPurposeMedia Information and Press ReleasesSites of Operation under Coroner DirectionRoles and ResponsibilitiesProcessing CapabilitiesIncident ManagementResponse and Call-in ProcedureScene Investigation

Mass Fatality Incident Response PlanSearch and Body Recovery Teams Temporary Morgue/Examination Center IdentificationLong Term Examination Sifting SiteFamily Assistance CenterID of Remains and Death CertificationDeath Notification ProcedureRelease of Remains & Personal Effects

Mass Fatality Incident Response PlanMass Burial Financial Issues Communication and SupportWeapons of Mass Destruction and Hazardous MaterialsMobilizing Other AgenciesTransportation and StorageStorage CapacitiesReferences

FundingHomeland Security GrantOffice of Emergency ManagementFederal Metropolitan Medical Response SystemGreater Dayton Area Hospital AssociationRegional Medical Response System

ResourcesEquipmentEmergency Resource Field Inventory (ERFI)SuppliesComputerized inventory for timely re-orderPersonnelCall-in (One call system)ShiftsVolunteersOther Agency Support

EquipmentCommand Trailer 28 footCommand PostSuppliesCommunication10KW generatorExterior lighting

EquipmentDeployable Morgue22 foot trailer13.6 x 33.6 x 8.7 Med Fatality Mgmt Ctr (2)13.6 x 21.6 x 8.7 Small Fatality Mgmt CtrHVAC System 3.5 ton (2)20 KW generatorFlooringCartsLighting

EquipmentTwo Refrigerated Morgue Trailers18 foot18 body capacity eachAluminum trays400 pound capacity per tray6000 watt water-cooled generatorPower exchange capability to landlineRamp access

ExerciseTabletop discussionFunctional telephonic actionsFull Scale physical actionsHomeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program (HSEEP)https://hseep.dhs.govEvaluateTake Action

SummaryDefinitionMass Fatality Incident Response PlanFundingResourcesExercise

Questions?Robert Hunkeler937-225-4156hunkelerr@mcohio.org

Are you ready? If you were called out of this meeting right now, for a Mass Fatality Incident in your jurisdiction, are you prepared to handle it?Acute MFI: Sudden emergencies or disasters. Non-Acute MFIs: disease, biological, chemical, radiological contamination.