Emergency
Preparedness
An active, ongoing process
Presented by: Zara Marselian, CEO
1
2011 Blackout &
California Wildfires of
2003 and 2007
Taught us to distinguish between
“passive” and “active” disaster
preparedness
measures.
2
Passive vs. Active
•
•
•
•
•
Passive
Preparing safety manuals
Stockpiling goods
(flashlights, radios,
water, etc.)
Developing computer
lists of personnel
OSHA safety training
Employee safety code
drills
•
•
•
•
Active
Developing
comprehensive response
plans
Monitoring hazard
threats
Training emergency
personnel
Training members of the
community at risk
3
3 Messages
1 ) Who do we rely on during an emergency or
disaster?
2) What is the power of communication?
3) What did we learn
from these experiences?
4
Clinics must be prepared to be
self-sufficient
One of the most fundamental components of planning
efforts is the provision of generators and fuel in the event of
a power outage.
5
Clinics are the communities’ life support system in
times of crisis.
If a power outage occurs, clinics vital power is needed to
resume operations.
This is where the importance of generators comes in.
It is important that clinics have generator backup, because as we
learned, power outages are often unexpected and
unpredictable.
The safety of those in immediate need of healthcare is a priority,
and generators can ensure that those in need will be taken care
of with little to no interruption.
6
The power of communication
Develop effective internal and external communications
plans
Clinics should establish an alternative communication
system if standard communications fail.
Use a combination of communication tools:
• Basic telephone systems
• Overhead announcement and paging systems
• 2 way radios
• Cell phones
• Text messaging
• E-mail
• Intranet message posting
• Emergency handheld programmed radios
• Ham radio systems
7
What did we learn from these
experiences?
Because disaster events are relatively rare, staff does
not have regular experience with emergency
procedures, therefore…
- Regular staff training is crucial to effective response to a
disaster surge.
- Clinics should provide emergency training during staff
orientation to ensure a baseline knowledge among all staff.
- On-going staff participation is crucial during emergency
exercises because they are given the ability to respond during a
crisis
8
La Maestra's security personnel play a large role in
emergency planning due to the fact that they are
frequently on site when an emergency occurs
This placement provides security staff with a unique ability to
take immediate actions that can save lives before emergency
units can arrive.
9
Security Personnel:
- equipped with 2 way radio communication at all times
- work with the maintenance team and are cross-trained in
security codes for proficiency
- are familiar with emergency contact lists throughout the
organization, connecting
to satellite sites
immediately
10
Health Centers are diverse
organizations
La Maestra’s Emergency Management approach has to
consider:
• The center’s size (3 floors with underground parking garage)
• Location (Satellite clinics located throughout San Diego
County)
• The Community (Culturally diverse community with 20+
languages)
• Patient Demographic (patients with mental/behavioral
illnesses, anxiety, depression, PTSD)
• Patients with chronic disease
11
Community Engagement
• Understand your community
• Develop ongoing collaborative relationships
• Integrate the community into your
• preparedness
• activities
12
Engagement benefits
everyone
• Overall community health & safety is improved
• Burden on emergency responders is reduced
• Patients are better able to care for themselves
and avoid putting others at risk
13
Emergency Preparedness Partners
14
Local Partners
15
Emergency Contacts
Gary S. Rotto
Director of Health Policy and Strategic Communications
Council of Community Clinics
619-542-4334 (direct)
858-405-5048 (mobile)
grotto@ccc-sd.org
Patrick Klein
Associate Director of Health Center Operations
California Primary Care Association
Phone: (916) 440-8170 x1111
pklein@cpca.org
American Red Cross
858-309-1200
Disaster Hotline San Diego
858-565-3490
Fire Department
858-974-9891
San Diego Gas & Electric
1-800-611-7343
The City of San Diego – Public Utilities
Water Operations
(619) 515-3525
16