Contractor Response Postures_040716 - Copy.docx

Response Postures

Although the variety of emergencies that could occur at the Medical Center are infinite, there are only five basic response postures the Medical Center will execute to help preserve the safety and well being of patients, staff, and visitors.

These response postures will normally be directed by the Incident Commander, but it is vital that each staff member be prepared to direct patients and staff in their area to take the necessary response posture in the event you are the first to see or recognize an emergency situation.

Utilizing the guidelines below, each Service shall complete enclosure (1) making specific plans for how their staff will implement the response postures. Service Chief’s are to address the main work spaces they are responsible for and shall conduct 2 Service specific drills annually.

I. “Lock In”

This is a posture taken in response to an event that occurs outside of your building on campus or off campus. The key components of a “lock in” are:

Below are examples of when we may “lock in”:

The Incident Commander will secure from a lock in after the Police Service has determined, to the best of their ability that a threat no longer exists.

It is important to note that staff will not be permitted to enter or leave the building for any reason during a lock in. Please make sure that you have a contingency plan for any family responsibilities you may have.

Lock in will be ended via standard emergency communication means.

II. “Lock down”

Lockdown is a response posture taken when there is a violent incident in your building or in the immediate vicinity around your building. The key components of a “lock down” include:

Key points to remember during “lock down”:

Lock down will be ended by a police officer, firefighter, or other agency official unlocking your door.

III. Shelter in Place

An order to Shelter in Place by the Incident Commander will be issued when there is an environmental condition outside of your building that is potentially harmful. The overall purpose of sheltering in place is to keep the “bad” air out and the good air in. The following actions shall be taken when directed to Shelter in Place:

All staff is cautioned not to allow any person who is outside at the time Shelter in Place is set into any building other than the chapel. There is a potential that people who were outside may have been contaminated by the source that resulted in the call to Shelter in Place.

IV. Evacuation

The Medical Center has two primary evacuation plans; horizontal and vertical. Horizontal evacuations are the initial response to an order to evacuate and are covered through the fire plan. This emergency response deals with vertical evacuations only. All staff is required to be familiar with this and horizontal evacuation procedures.

A full vertical evacuation may only be authorized by the Incident Commander. Please keep in mind the Incident Commander is staffed only in emergencies; it is not a job title or position. In a fire or unsafe building scenario, the Incident Commander may very well be the Fire Department or Police Supervisor.

The goal of an order to evacuate is to remove all patients, visitors, and staff as swiftly as possible from harm’s way. However, our responsibility to our patients requires us to modify the normal evacuation protocol. Unless you are in imminent danger, or the below process would put you in immediate danger, the following actions shall be taken by staff not delegated specific duties during a vertical evacuation:

6B Staff: Even numbered rooms report to 5A, odd number rooms report to 5C to expedite the evacuation of inpatients.*

5B Staff: Report to 4C to expedite the evacuation of inpatients.*

4B Staff: Report to 4A to expedite the evacuation of inpatients.*

3A Staff: Report to 3B to expedite the evacuation of inpatients.*

3C Staff: Report to Bldg 501 (Long Term Care) to expedite the evacuation of inpatients.

2nd floor staff: Report to Bldg 501 (Long Term Care) to expedite the evacuation of inpatients.

1st floor staff: Assist all patients and visitors in evacuating the building.

*Evacuchairs and evacusleds are located in strategic places throughout the Medical Center to assist in the evacuation of people who are unable to make it down the stairs themselves.

All Services: Designate a primary and secondary staff member to take your “Go Bag” to your Service muster area. Designate a primary and secondary staff member to take a muster and report to the Command Post via FMS vehicles and/or a runner. Service Chief’s are reminded they are responsible for the contents of their “Go Bags” including maintaining functional batteries.

FMS Service: Dispatch three vehicles to designated locations to facilitate muster reports and communication between the Incident Command Team and evacuated staff/patients. Begin assigning drivers to vehicles and report transportation capability to the Command Post ASAP.

Fire Department: Determine the suitability of utilizing the elevators and communicate accordingly with all inpatient wards. Provide oversight and direct the Medical Center evacuation. Set up triage tarps/tents as required at the most suitable location.

Police Service: Restrict campus access as directed by the Incident Commander.

A&MM: Report to external triage with the four travel bags and triage cart.

Pharmacy: Report to external triage with the four travel bags.

Home Health Care: Dispatch staff with laptop and printers to area hospitals.

All staff: Be alert to assist patients and visitors during an evacuation.

Tenant Commands/Little Eagle Day Care: The Medical Center will attempt to provide transportation or alternate safe sites on campus as requested, however our number one responsibility is to provide for our patients, visitors, and staff. Tenant Commands and Little Eagle should have transportation and COOP plans that are independent of Medical Center resources.

After Evacuating:

1. Upon exiting the building, all staff not assigned other duties shall report to their Services designated muster area to facilitate personnel accountability.

2. Further direction and guidance will be issued by your Service Chief or his/her designated representative.

V. Deep Shelter/Duck, Cover, and Hold This response will be utilized whenever tornado warnings are in effect and/or a tornado has been spotted within 20 miles of the Medical Center campus or an individual CBOC. The purpose of this response is to provide patients, staff, and visitors the highest protection available in the event of a tornado. The key components of Deep Shelter include:

1. The safest place to be in the event of a tornado is the basement.

2. If you are unable to make it to the basement, you should seek shelter on the lowest floor possible.

3. Regardless of what floor you are on, seek shelter in an interior space without windows. Close all doors leading to rooms with windows.

4. Patient wards should move all patients from the rooms to an interior hall.

5. Wherever you are, if you hear a tornado (Sounds similar to a loud, unrelenting locomotive), Duck, cover, and hold:

- Duck under a desk or other furniture.

- Cover all vital organs and tuck your chin to your chest.

- Hold onto a solid piece of furniture or other sturdy anchor..

If a tornado strikes your building, be very cautious when you exit. Always remember the structure of the building may have been damaged and there will be dangerous debris everywhere.

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