EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTION # 8 HEALTH & MEDICAL

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1 EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTION # 8 HEALTH & MEDICAL Primary Agency: Health Department Support Agencies: Emergency Management Agency EMS System Public and Private EMS Agencies American Red Cross INTRODUCTION PURPOSE Throughout an emergency, public health consequences are identified, affected people are debriefed, and findings are evaluated to resolve the public health event. Along with epidemiological follow-up, public health also contributes provisions of health care, evacuation of patients, hospital care coordination, public health and medical services information, and victim identification. Emergencies may include, among others, Bioterrorism events; hazardous chemical releases; contaminated food or water; infectious/communicable disease; natural disasters such as floods, tornadoes, and storms; and radiation exposure. In addition to the potential for physical and mental injury to the City s population, the risk of environmental contamination of the air, land, or water caused by the effects of a disaster can also pose a danger to the residents of Lockport, as well as the threat of long-term environmental damage. PURPOSE The purpose of this ESF is to ensure the provision of mental, physical, and environmental health services in the event of a major emergency or disaster. It is designed to effectively coordinate the use of the Public Health and Medical Services and community resources to protect the life, health, and safety of the City s population should a local public health emergency occur within the City of Lockport, be it a result of a natural disaster, technological failure, or terrorist attack. Emergency plans of the Public Health and Medical Services agencies provide guidance for mobilizing and managing public and environmental health services during emergencies and disasters by addressing the following objectives: Reduce vulnerability of people to injury, illness, and loss of life from natural or man-made disasters by preparing the public health staff/volunteers for such events Determine responsibilities for public health staff/volunteers and identify who will be contacted during an emergency or disaster Establish strategies and assumptions related to managing an emergency or disaster involving local health issues February 26, 2016 ESF #8 Health & Medical 1

2 Outline concepts of operation including a description of activities for emergency mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery SITUATION A disaster or emergency could occur at any time with little or no warning. Therefore the Public Health and Medical Services agencies must have an advanced understanding of the potential hazards and the protective actions to be taken. As a local responder, these agencies have a specific responsibility to protect the public s health and the environment. The Public Health and Medical Services agencies endeavor to carry out this responsibility through the core public health functions of assessment, policy development, and assurance. These core public health functions lead to essential services that form the public health foundation upon which the Public Health and Medical Services agencies have built an effective emergency/disaster response system. ASSUMPTIONS For purposes of this ESF, Lockport assumes that: There is the potential for disasters to occur which may cause unusual public health and safety issues which will have to be addressed by local public health and medical authorities. Depending upon the nature of the incident, complications might include diseases, sanitation problems, contamination of food and water, hazardous material exposure, and community mental health problems. Disaster and mass-casualty incidents can take many forms. A large-scale emergency/disaster will result in increased demands on public health and medical personnel. A catastrophic disaster could result in multiple fatalities necessitating extraordinary measures, including establishing a temporary morgue. Proper emergency medical response must be structured to provide optimum resource application without total abandonment of day-to-day responsibilities. Should the resources of the Public Health and Medical Services agencies be exhausted, outside assistance will be required. This will necessitate coordination and cooperation among governmental, private, and volunteer organizations to protect the lives and health of Lockport s population. Assistance is available from state and federal governments to supplement County resources during declared disaster or emergency events. Appropriate mutual aid agreements have been made to supplement the public health and medical services resources as needed. Disasters may occur across County lines that would require collaboration in coordinating a response. This coordinated response will be arranged prior to such an event through mutual aid agreements with other public health agencies and exercised on a periodic basis. In 2004, the Illinois Public Health Mutual Aid System (IPHMAS) was adopted and signed by local public health departments in the State of Illinois. If the needs of a local public health event or disaster exceed the capabilities of the public health and medical services agencies, the IPHMAS can be activated. February 26, 2016 ESF #8 Health & Medical 2

3 It is understood the media will request information about the emergency. The local print and broadcast media will perform an essential role in providing emergency instructions and status information to the public. The Public Health and Medical Services agencies will work in coordination with the public information emergency support function. Together they will inform and educate the media and the public about the impact of the disaster on the health of the City s population and provide information on health status and protective measures. Emergencies and disasters will occur that shall cause provisions of this ESF to be implemented. It is assumed that this ESF can provide adequate direction and control of public health functions during these incidents. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS GENERAL By Illinois law, local government is ultimately responsible for the protection of life and property. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the WCHD to provide the response for a local public health emergency within the County of Will. When the local public health emergency exceeds the ability of the WCHD to handle the situation, the WCHD will coordinate with the Will County Emergency Management Agency to obtain additional resources and address the health needs of the County s population. The WCHD has been identified as the primary agency for identifying and responding to public health events that include disease outbreaks and potential Bioterrorism events. Within the WCHD is an Emergency Response Team comprised of members from each division. The WCHD as a whole works with local first responders, hospitals, schools, and government and private agencies to establish protocols for investigation and response in the event of a public health emergency. Included in the WCHD response plan are communication measures to provide useful information and direction to the general public, health professionals, government, and community leaders. In the event of a biological event or disease outbreak, the WCHD will facilitate medical management of exposed persons by activating plans for mass treatment and/or mass distribution of medication. Support services will be provided locally as required from emergency management, police, fire, hospitals, local government, schools, and volunteer agencies. Additional resources may be required from the State that may be requested through the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). Major disasters will rely on the support of the federal government. During an emergency, the Public Health and Medical Services agencies will ensure that these identified people are advised of the emergency situation and are assisted in the implementation of recommended protective actions. Although not a function of county government, the public and private EMS agencies have been identified as the lead agency for providing emergency medical services within Will County. Specific information regarding EMS operations can be found in the ESF #4 - Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services Annex. If resources allow, the WCHD Medical and Nursing staff can provide additional support at area hospitals as well as at mass casualty or pharmaceutical dispensing/vaccination sites. Responsibility for providing definitive health care is assumed by the area hospitals serving the Lockport Area. These hospitals include: Silver Cross Hospital (New Lenox), Presence St. Joseph Medical Center (Joliet), Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital (Bolingbrook) and hospitals in the surrounding area. Area hospitals February 26, 2016 ESF #8 Health & Medical 3

4 may request medical evacuation by air to specialized facilities for victims with medical needs beyond the availability or skills of local medical facilities. Will County hospitals operate closely with Advocate Christ Medical Center, Region VII Regional Health Coordination Center (RHCC). Through this cooperative effort a system of shared resources and communication has been established. Following the impact of a major emergency or disaster situation, the first priority of the health and medical system is two-fold. First is the care and transportation of the sick and injured. Second is the prevention and effective control of disease. After the first priority has been taken care of, a secondary task of removal, identification, and burial of the dead can be accomplished. This function is addressed in the Mortuary Services annex, ESF #14. Following the first few hours of a mass casualty incident, mental health support may be needed from the Public Health and Medical Services agencies to assist emergency first responders suffering from mental trauma, as well as persons directly affected by the disaster s impact. This support may be provided on a short-term basis, lasting for a few days, to a long term basis extending from months to years. The provision of mental health support may begin initially on the scene of the disaster, move to a secondary phase at a hospital emergency room or congregate lodging shelter, and graduate to long term support provided in a local clinic. Persons entering the mental health system for support are assured of total confidentiality. The WCHD s Environmental Heath (EH) Division is available if requested to ensure that risks to public health are minimized by ensuring water provided is potable and that basic food safety and sanitation procedures are followed at Mass Care Centers and shelters within the County. If requested, the WCHD s EH Division can also work with local public works departments through the emergency event to ensure that sanitation facilities are available and properly operating. If facilities holding WCHD food service permits are potentially impacted by the emergency, inspections may be conducted at the food service facilities prior to their re-opening to ensure the absence of contamination. DIRECTION AND CONTROL The Executive Director of the WCHD will be the primary authority for all public health response procedures during a disaster or an emergency. The Executive Director or designated alternate from the WCHD EOC will be sent to the Lockport EOC if requested. In conjunction with the EOC staff and EOC Hospital Advisor, this individual will coordinate communication between the City s EOC and the WCHD Command Center in order to implement an effective response to the health needs of the County s population. An emergency may be declared to allow emergency actions not otherwise authorized or to request additional health and medical resources from the State or federal governments. The WCHD Command Center shall be the direction and control point for all major decisions concerning WCHD operations. When activated the WCHD Command Center shall be staffed as appropriate by Emergency Response Team (ERT) members. Emergency Response Team (ERT) is composed of: Executive Director Division Directors (5) Medical Advisor Emergency Response Coordinator Epidemiologist Epidemiology & Communicable Disease Media Services Manager February 26, 2016 ESF #8 Health & Medical 4

5 Information Systems Coordinator Facilities Manager Human Resources The ERT members are organized according to the Incident Command System and are assigned the responsibility of evaluating incidents and assisting with the activation and administration of emergency plans. A designated Hospital Advisor will report to the EOC to coordinate the hospital response procedures during a disaster or an emergency. This individual will coordinate communication between the area hospital Command Centers and/or Emergency Rooms, WCHD Command Center, Will County EOC, and the RHCC. PLAN ACTIVATION The plans developed under this ESF may be activated by the Executive Director of the WCHD or an appropriate representative/designee of the agency when any local health emergency exists. This activation process does not preclude the use of the plan either in whole or part by the WCHD on a progressive scale as an incident escalates. Many parts of this plan can stand alone and be used by the appropriate divisions as needed. ORGANIZATION The County s concept of operations outlined in the above section is intended to complement and supplement parallel actions being taken at other levels of government, including but not limited to the actions summarized in this section. All of the Public Health and Medical Services agencies that are provided are in support of Will County local municipalities. LOCAL LEVEL At the local level, WCHD has the primary responsibility to provide public health and emergency medical services within Will County and serves as the lead agency for ESF-8. The WCHD assists in response to incidents involving biological, chemical, and radiological hazards. Services of the WCHD may range from: Health surveillance Conducting epidemiological investigations Assessing health/medical needs Assist in coordinating emergency medical care, personnel, and resources Verifying minimum sanitation standards and conducting contamination assessment of food and water Providing public health information and service announcements Providing medical counter measurements in response to a public health emergency STATE LEVEL The role of the State of Illinois is to augment public health and medical activities that exceed the capabilities of the local government. The Illinois Emergency Operations Plan ESF #8 supports public health and medical activities as required by local government in accordance with pre-established activation procedures. Requests for State assistance are processed through the Will County Emergency Management Agency. February 26, 2016 ESF #8 Health & Medical 5

6 FEDERAL LEVEL The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) coordinates all federal resources related to Public Health and Medical Services made available to assist state, local and tribal officials during a major disaster or emergency. RESPONSIBILITIES Will County Health Department (Lead Agency) Coordinate with, as appropriate, local first responders and support agencies to provide county-wide preventive health services and emergency health care; Provide public health information and advice; Provide communicable disease investigation, surveillance, and epidemiological support; Verify minimum sanitation standards and conduct contamination assessment of food and water; Providing medical counter measurements in response to a public health emergency; Environmental Health will manage and inspect the food, water, sewage, pools and beaches, and stream protection programs. EH will also analyze potable and non-potable water samples in the WCHD s in-house Environmental Health Laboratory; Provides local mental health support, including emotional, psychological, psychological first aid, behavioral, or cognitive limitations requiring assistance or supervision, and substance abuse assessment and crisis counseling; Identified as the lead agency responsible for managing the functional needs population (homebound, handicapped, shut-ins) residing within the Emergency Planning Zones of the Braidwood and Dresden Nuclear Power Stations; Lead agency to coordinate the provision of medical, transportation, and other disaster-related assistance to disabled, elderly, and functional needs persons.; Coordinate local Medical Reserve Corps (WCHD and New Lenox) to provide additional assistance, as required and appropriate based on the event. Will County Emergency Management Agency Coordination of public health functions in relation to other ESFs and County agencies; Integration with ESF #10 (Hazardous Materials) to the extent required to ensure efficient response; Integration with the Emergency Public Information emergency support function to the extent required to ensure efficient response. Will County Hospitals Provide inpatient hospital care, outpatient services; Identify surge capacity sites; Provide triage of symptomatic or injured; Provides decontamination, if appropriate. Silver Cross Emergency Medical Services Coordinate EMS Services; Secure additional ambulances and EMS staff as needed; Provide Medical Direction for ambulance and EMS personnel; Interact with the Regional Hospitals to provide adequate patients rooms if needed; February 26, 2016 ESF #8 Health & Medical 6

7 Coordinate with Illinois Medical Emergency Response Teams (IMERT), and Regional Medical Emergency Response Teams (RMERT) teams as needed; Interact with the Illinois Department of Public Health as needed. Emergency Medical Services Agencies Integration with ESF #4 (Fire, Rescue, & EMS) to the extent required to ensure efficient response ONGOING ESF REVIEW AND MAINTENANCE The City of Lockport EMA Director shall ensure the continued update and maintenance of this ESF. The agencies that have accountability in the ESF shall be responsible for reviewing their roles and responsibilities. This ESF will be updated at a minimum with the biennial revision of the Lockport Emergency Operations Plan. REFERENCES Emergency Medical Disaster Plan Illinois Department of Public Health SUPPORTING PLANS AND PROCEDURES (maintained under a separate cover) Will County Health Department All Hazards Emergency Operations Plan Bioterrorism Response Plan Epidemiological Response Plan Pharmaceutical Distribution Plan Medical Reserve Corps Plan February 26, 2016 ESF #8 Health & Medical 7