HEALTH & MEDICAL ASPECTS OFINCIDENT MANAGEMENT AT THE

SR 530 (OSO, WA) SLIDE

Richard N. Bradley, MDPreparing for the Unexpected VI:

Washington Ready!May 28, 2015 – Wenatchee, Washington

Photo credit: Thomas Miner.

Conflict of Interest

Dr. Bradley is an employee of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

He serves as a member of the FEMA Urban Search & Rescue System through a contract between his employer, FEMA and the Texas Engineering Extension Service.

Objectives

Recognize the functions and duties of the Medical Branch under the Incident Management System

Recognize some of the challenges presented by the SR 530 Slide to the Incident Management Team

Amazing Devastation

Photo credit: Thomas Miner.

Delegation of Authority

Grants authority to carry out specific functions.

Is issued by chief elected official, chief executive officer, or agency administrator in writing or verbally.

Allows the Incident Commander to assume command.

Does NOT relieve the granting authority of ultimate responsibility for the incident.

Agency Executive

Incident Commander

Reproduced slide from FEMA ICS 200, Unit 3, Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives.

Delegation of Authority: When Needed

When the incident is outside the Incident Commander’s jurisdiction.

When the incident scope is complex or beyond existing authorities.

When required by law or procedures.

Reproduced slide from FEMA ICS 200, Unit 3, Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives.

Washington State Incident Management Team 4

Images from http://199.134.225.50/nwcc/t2_wa4/index.htm

Delegation of Authority

Within 14 days, Search the high probability areas for the

highest POD possible (90% to 95%) All high probability areas that can be accessed

and that can be searched will be searched to the highest POD possible using secondary low-density and secondary high-density search methods where appropriate. (CISAR Definitions)

All accessible areas will be searched using K9 teams and primary search methods.

Delegation of Authority (cont.)

All HR will be documented by GPS coordinates and turned over to the ME

All documentation of effort and mapping will be turned over to Snohomish County Authorities

When all missing persons are located all active search operations will end

When all high probability areas that can be accessed are searched to give the highest POD possible, active search operations will end.

Limited but focused search operations may resume as areas of high probability are dewatered and access becomes possible to search teams.

Many Responders & Agencies

Photo credit: Thomas Miner.

Tasks Assigned to Medical Branch

Responder Health & Wellness Incident Scene EMS Public Health Veterinary Care Mortuary Affairs Critical Incident Stress Management

Medical Unit

U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security. U.S. Coast Guard Incident Management Handbook. COMDTPUB P3120.17A. Aug 2006.

Medical Branch

U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security. U.S. Coast Guard Incident Management Handbook. COMDTPUB P3120.17A. Aug 2006.

Strong Interaction with EMS

Public Health Challenges

Food Safety

Photo: Richard N. Bradley

Contamination

Photo: Richard N. Bradley

CISM Challenges

Photo credit: Thomas Miner.

Veterinary Care Challenges

Photo: Richard N. Bradley

Medical Plan

Conclusion

Health and medical objectives at the SR 530 slide were accomplished successfully by using an all-hazards incident management approach and through outstanding cooperation between a number of different agencies.

Richard.N.Bradley@uth.tmc.edu