Leadership in an emergency : Charbonneau adopts standardized system The Emergency Preparedness and Public Safety ( EPPS ) Committee is a busy and productive part of Charbonneau . Besides having a large group of dedicated emergency volunteers in our community ( folks like the captain ’ s network and medically trained residents ), we also have built resources . For example , we have stored medical equipment , developed communications systems , added emergency power and fuel resources and provided education .
We realized that we also needed a system to organize our leadership process and response to an emergency that was in line with the rest of the community , state and nation . We decided to adopt the use of the Incident Command System ( ICS ) for our Charbonneau leadership team .
What is ICS ? ICS was created by FEMA , and is
|
a common process and language that can allow agencies and communities to better work together and talk to each other in an emergency . ICS is used by city , county , state and federal agencies . It is also utilized by first responders : police , fire , paramedics , rescue and hospitals . Businesses can also use ICS in their disaster planning .
ICS uses a simplified chain of command and communication process . Roles are defined and flexible . Some of the roles include titles like incident commander , safety officer , planning and public information .
|
ICS also provides a way to document our response to any disaster or emergency . If reimbursement or grants are available , record keeping is vital . Documentation also allows us to review our response to determine what we have done well , and what needs improvement .
Emergency Operations Center : EOC
Part of the Incident Command System includes utilizing a central location to gather the ICS team to work . That location is known as the EOC : Emergency Operations Center . Charbonneau ’ s EOC is located in the Activity Center , but an
|
Charbonneau residents receive ICS training ( left to right : Jerry Baker , Tracy Meyer , Sue Swanson , RN , Patrick Donaldson and Spencer Groshong ).
COURTESY PHOTO
EOC can be moved anywhere in the event of a disaster .
The EPPS Committee and several core team members , some CCC board members and Charbonneau staff have received basic training in ICS , and will practice its use . If you have any questions about ICS , you may learn more at https :// www . ready . gov / incident-management . If you have received ICS training ( for professional , CERT or other purposes ) and are interested in being part of the ICS process at Charbonneau , contact EPPS member Sue Swanson : nurseswan @ aol . com .
|