UAB MEDICINE INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM ( IMT ) & COMMAND CENTER
The hospital command center ( HCC ) was opened 24 hours prior to the opening ceremonies to support bystander first aid and athlete medical teams that were setting up their sites . The HCC was staffed daily from 6 am to 10 pm by emergency management team members assigned to the liaison officer roles and a team of health care leaders , fellows , and interns assigned to the spectator first aid and athlete medical care branch . Other assigned IMT members worked remotely but were on standby to return to the HCC should a full activation be required . Many of the command and general staff were deployed to the field for medical site supervision and support .
HCC operational period briefings and command and general staff meetings were held daily in person and by videoconferencing . Other section and branch meetings were held every other day and as needed . Primary functions of the HCC were operational coordination and communication with site medical staff , command , general staff , unified command , and The World Games organization . Over 90 resource requests were received , processed , and tracked to completion . Multiple communication methods were utilized , including email , WebEOC , HSIN , Everbridge mass notification system ( Nixle groups ), cellular and landline telephones , and push-to-talk radios . Written documentation ( i . e . resources requests ) was accomplished using standard HICS forms .
The spectator first aid and medical branch established a phone bank to receive incoming requests and information . Messages and resource requests were routed to the appropriate IMT , The World Games , and unified command staff for processing . Branch staff followed up on resource requests until they were completed or canceled . Contingency meetings were scheduled to manage unique situations identified .
Liaison officers ( LO ) maintained continuous communication with Unified Command during HCC hours of operation and managed the overall function of the command center . The assigned LO also gathered information and intelligence daily for dissemination to other IMT and medical staff . This included weather information ( forecasts , wet-bulb temperatures ), schedule changes , venue closings , safety , and security risks . Liaison officers also were responsible for sending time-sensitive mass notifications .
WHAT WORKED WELL
• A centralized call center ( Command Center ) to receive , process , and track messages and resource requests to completion in support of deployed medical staff .
• Use of an event-specific mass notification group ( Nixle ) for sharing time-sensitive information .
• Use of multiple platforms to gather , maintain , and disseminate information for improved common operating picture .
• Establishing a pre-designated and equipped command center to support IMT functions .
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE GAMES
• Integrate first aid and athlete medical care functions into the Unified Command structure at the branch or group level
• Promote the use of a standardized ICS resource request process among the command structures
• Plan and provide introductions and standardized briefings among all venue supervisors to include schedules , resources , communication methods , emergency procedures , and roles and responsibilities
• Develop and disseminate a medical site demobilization process and checklist , including repackaging and return of documentation , supplies , equipment , and bio-hazard waste management
• Provide daily staff schedules to the HCC for accountability and notifications
The World Games Playbook : Event and Medical Overview 11