Mass Fatality Incident Planning
and Preparation in Montgomery
County, Ohio
2012 National Homeland Security Conference
Columbus, Ohio
May 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?
Overview
Definition
 Mass Fatality Incident Response Plan
 Funding
 Resources
 Exercise

Introduction

Montgomery County Coroner’s Office
Dayton, Ohio
 Population 535,000 / 460 Square Miles
 Contract Autopsy Services for 29 counties

 Autopsies
conducted for 1/3 of Ohio
 Many contracted counties are rural

4800 cases per year/1300 autopsies per year
Definition

Mass Fatality Incident

An incident where the number of fatalities
overwhelms local resources.
Natural Disaster
 Chemical, Biological, Radiological,
Nuclear, Explosive
 Incendiary
 Transportation Incidents

Definition
Terrorist
 Mass Murder
 Epidemic
 Building-Related Mishaps
 Industrial Incidents

Mass Fatality Incident Response
Plan
Montgomery County Coroner’s Office
Mass Fatality Incident Response Plan
 Distribution/Continuity
 Coordination
 Thumb drive to leadership/command
trailer
 Caveat restricting access
 References

Mass Fatality Incident Response
Plan
Purpose
 Media Information and Press Releases
 Sites of Operation under Coroner Direction
 Roles and Responsibilities
 Processing Capabilities
 Incident Management
 Response and Call-in Procedure
 Scene Investigation

Mass Fatality Incident Response
Plan
Search and Body Recovery Teams
 Temporary Morgue/Examination Center
Identification
 Long Term Examination Sifting Site
 Family Assistance Center
 ID of Remains and Death Certification
 Death Notification Procedure
 Release of Remains & Personal Effects

Mass Fatality Incident Response
Plan








Mass Burial
Financial Issues
Communication and Support
Weapons of Mass Destruction and Hazardous
Materials
Mobilizing Other Agencies
Transportation and Storage
Storage Capacities
References
Funding

Homeland Security Grant

Office of Emergency Management
Federal Metropolitan Medical Response
System
 Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association
 Regional Medical Response System

Resources

Equipment


Supplies


Emergency Resource Field Inventory (ERFI)
Computerized inventory for timely re-order
Personnel
Call-in (One call system)
 Shifts
 Volunteers
 Other Agency Support

Equipment

Command Trailer – 28 foot
Command Post
 Supplies
 Communication
 10KW generator
 Exterior lighting

Equipment

Deployable Morgue
22 foot trailer
 13.6’ x 33.6’ x 8.7’ Med Fatality Mgmt Ctr (2)
 13.6’ x 21.6’ x 8.7’ Small Fatality Mgmt Ctr
 HVAC System – 3.5 ton (2)
 20 KW generator
 Flooring
 Carts
 Lighting

Equipment

Two Refrigerated Morgue Trailers
18 foot
 18 body capacity each

 Aluminum
trays
 400 pound capacity per tray

6000 watt water-cooled generator
 Power

exchange capability to landline
Ramp access
Exercise
Tabletop – discussion
 Functional – telephonic actions
 Full Scale – physical actions
 Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation
Program (HSEEP)


https://hseep.dhs.gov
Evaluate
 Take Action

Summary
Definition
 Mass Fatality Incident Response Plan
 Funding
 Resources
 Exercise

Questions?
Robert Hunkeler
937-225-4156
hunkelerr@mcohio.org