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SURGE RESPONSE TEAMS
Public Health – Seattle & King County’s Surge Response Teams are:
- Epidemiology and Surveillance / Disease Control
- Rapid Field Assessment Team
- Case and Contact Investigation and Surveillance Team
- Rapid Field Assessment Team
- EH Hazard Identification / Field Response
- Mass Vaccination / Dispensing
- Mass Isolation & Quarantine / Social Distancing
- Risk Communications / Education
- Emergency Management
PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE ACTIVATION
WORKFORCE ASSESSMENT
SURGE RESPONSE TEAMS
UNDERSTANDING SURGE RESPONSE TEAMS In the event of a health emergency, Public Health would be expected to provide expertise quickly and potentially on a large scale. Surge Response Teams are trained Public Health staff specializing in a specific topical area of public health response that act immediately during a health emergency.
Teams are structured in anticipation of a range of event conditions. The unique conditions of a particular event and decisions made by the incident command structure will determine the scope of surge response team activation. This section and the preparedness strategy section to which it is linked provides an overview of the key Surge Response Teams and their roles in public health preparedness strategy.
PREPAREDNESS STRATEGY This model provides an illustration of department-wide preparedness strategy.
PART 1: Preparedness Strategy Flow Chart
SURGE RESPONSE CAPACITY This tool provides an illustration of department wide surge response capacity, core capability, capability components and surge response teams with narrative descriptions. Ideally, each one of the teams defined in the planning process will be developed and appropriate staff will be identified and assigned to each team. As our planning process continued, it was essential for the planning team to scale down the number of teams for manageability of working through the process.
PART 2: Preparedness Strategy Flow Chart
SURGE RESPONSE TEAMS descriptions
Epidemiology and Surveillance / Disease Control - Case and Contact Investigation and Surveillance Team MISSION/RESPONSIBILITIES
Promote and protect the health of the public through prevention and control of communicable diseases. In a biologic emergency, the role of CD Epi is to analyze surveillance and epidemiologic investigation data in order to detect and describe outbreaks, define the populations affected, and apply infectious disease and public health practice expertise to propose and implement public health response activities. As the response to the outbreak proceeds, the section continues its work to evaluate the effectiveness of the response activities and to propose changes as necessary. CD Epi provides medical, nursing, and public health practice guidance to Public Health – Seattle & King County and to the community in preparation for and response to outbreakstop
EH Hazard Identification / Field Response – Field Response Team MISSION/RESPONSIBILITIES
EH Hazard Identification / Field Response - Rapid Response Team
Conduct early assessment, evaluation and surveillance of an incident to determine environmental public health hazards that may be present or that may potentially evolve as an incident develops, and further; identify initial Environmental Health strategies, resources and actions needed to preserve and protect human life, prevent further disease and/or injury, ensure the well being of/address emergency needs of populations and assist with recovery of critical infrastructure.
EH Hazard Identification / Field Response – Field Response Team
Following initial incident assessment by the Rapid Response Team appropriate EH Field Response Team(s) may be mobilized to conduct on-going field response activities in response to environmental health hazards associated with areas including:
EH Hazard Identification / Field Response - Rapid Response Team MISSION/RESPONSIBILITIES
The Environmental Health Rapid Response Team (or Core Team) is activated to provide initial assessment and evaluation of environmental public health hazards of an incident and further, determine any additional professional staff and resources to be deployed to respond, mitigate and provide expertise and education pertinent to the environmental health hazard(s). The Core Team consists of 3 professionals from each of the 3 Environmental Health Operating Sections; Community Environmental Health, Environmental Hazards and Food & Facilities Protection. Following the initial event assessment/hazard identification process, the Core Team may complete all required tasks for a small and/or isolated event or; the Core Team may expand (morph) into various specific event or special emphasis teams by incorporating (activating) specialty staff from the appropriate EH Section(s) and disciplines. Professional Staff will be mobilized into an expanded Core Team. Team(s) (depending on event scope) would consist of a Team Leader who is the most experienced and other staff with appropriate specialties. Environmental Health, depending on the event, will partner with other Divisions within Public Health and/or all the appropriate external agencies. top
Mass Vaccination/Dispensing – Medication Center Team MISSION/RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide vaccinations or medications to a large number of people in a short amount of time. In the event of disease outbreaks, terrorist acts, hazardous materials emergencies, or major trauma events, local supplies of vaccines, antibiotics and other medical equipment may be quickly depleted. During such events, Public Health may access state and federal resource assistance by requesting mobilization of the Strategic National Stockpile (SUNS) of medical supplies. As part of Public Health’s Strategic National Stockpile Activation Plan, Public Heath will operate “Medication Centers” for dispensing needed medicines or vaccines to the public.top
Mass Isolation & Quarantine/Social Distancing – Legal/Law Enforcement Team MISSION/RESPONSIBILITIES
Support the legal process for involuntary detention for purposes of isolation and quarantine. Coordinate with the Prosecuting Attorney's Office; prepare affidavits and/or declarations; deliver notice to persons subject to orders; coordinate with law enforcement when necessary; track court review dates; support Public Information Office readiness for media inquiries.
Risk Communications/Education – Public Information Call Center Team MISSION/RESPONSIBILITIES
Operated by the Communications Team of Public Health – Seattle & King County, the primary focus of the (PICC) Public Information Call Center is to provide general, non-medical information to the residents of King County during a crisis event. It is activated, when multiple divisions of Public Health are involved in responding to a specific event. top
Risk Communications/Education – Joint Information Center Team MISSION/RESPONSIBILITIES
In the event of an emergency, the JIC will act as a central point for the development and dissemination of public information in support of Public Health. The JIC is charged with the task of supporting the PH-EOC by supplying accurate, consistent, and clear information to the media, public, and county government employees. In a large-scale event, King County’s Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) will become the managing body for Media Communications and the Public Health EOC Communications team will provide the appropriate Public Health liaison and subject matter expertise to the ECC.top
Emergency Management – Public Health EOC Staff Team MISSION/RESPONSIBILITIES
Each EOC Representative within the Operations Section mobilizes and deploys the resources of their department as needed to support Field Operation and gather incident information for dissemination within the EOC. They are supervised by the Operation Section Chief or Incident Commander if no Operations Section Chief is appointed.
Emergency Management – County/City EOC Liaisons Team MISSION/
ECC Representatives are designated by their county departments, districts, or non-profit organizations to carry out emergency coordination functions for their organization during emergencies and disasters. Reps identify resource needs, coordinate the mobilization of department resources, and gather incident information for dissemination between the Seattle EOC and the PH EOC / Duty Officer. They maintain contact with King County Office of Emergency Management staff during routine or minor incidents. During major events, ECC Representatives report to the county ECC upon activation to coordinate response issues with other agencies. ECC Reps maintain the knowledge, experience, training and authority to implement their portion of the County Emergency Management Plan. This includes collecting and disseminating disaster information regarding their agency's response activities and damages, and requesting or mobilizing resources to address impacts.
Emergency Management – Radio Communications TeamMISSION/RESPONSIBILITIES
Public Health has an Amateur Radio team to activate as an alternate method of maintaining communications between the PHEOC, PH sites and other EOCs. The team will consist of several PH licensed amateur radio operators who will work in a variety of locations around the county.
Emergency Management – Team: Incident Command Post Field Team MISSION/RESPONSIBILITIES
PH Field Operations Liaison Representatives are deployed as the Public Health resource to an incident command post, EOC or other field location at the direction of the PH Incident Commander. They serve as the single point of contact for communications between a specific field location and the PH EOC, facilitate better communication of information and decision making between the PH EOC and partner agencies involved in the response, coordinates with and reports directly to the PH Incident Commander or Deputy Incident Commander. The position may be filled by a designated PHSKC Field Operations Liaison or a member of a partner agency coordinating on behalf of Public Health. They make operational decisions, as needed, in coordination with the PH Incident Commander and may serve as a liaison to an Incident Command or Unified Command established on-scene or at an EOC; may serve as a liaison within a planning or operations section.top
WORKFORCE ASSESSMENT
SURGE RESPONSE TEAMS
UNDERSTANDING SURGE RESPONSE TEAMS In the event of a health emergency, Public Health would be expected to provide expertise quickly and potentially on a large scale. Surge Response Teams are trained Public Health staff specializing in a specific topical area of public health response that act immediately during a health emergency.
Teams are structured in anticipation of a range of event conditions. The unique conditions of a particular event and decisions made by the incident command structure will determine the scope of surge response team activation. This section and the preparedness strategy section to which it is linked provides an overview of the key Surge Response Teams and their roles in public health preparedness strategy.
PREPAREDNESS STRATEGY This model provides an illustration of department-wide preparedness strategy.
PART 1: Preparedness Strategy Flow Chart
SURGE RESPONSE CAPACITY This tool provides an illustration of department wide surge response capacity, core capability, capability components and surge response teams with narrative descriptions. Ideally, each one of the teams defined in the planning process will be developed and appropriate staff will be identified and assigned to each team. As our planning process continued, it was essential for the planning team to scale down the number of teams for manageability of working through the process.
PART 2: Preparedness Strategy Flow Chart
SURGE RESPONSE TEAMS descriptions
Epidemiology and Surveillance / Disease Control - Case and Contact Investigation and Surveillance Team MISSION/RESPONSIBILITIES
Promote and protect the health of the public through prevention and control of communicable diseases. In a biologic emergency, the role of CD Epi is to analyze surveillance and epidemiologic investigation data in order to detect and describe outbreaks, define the populations affected, and apply infectious disease and public health practice expertise to propose and implement public health response activities. As the response to the outbreak proceeds, the section continues its work to evaluate the effectiveness of the response activities and to propose changes as necessary. CD Epi provides medical, nursing, and public health practice guidance to Public Health – Seattle & King County and to the community in preparation for and response to outbreakstop
EH Hazard Identification / Field Response – Field Response Team MISSION/RESPONSIBILITIES
EH Hazard Identification / Field Response - Rapid Response Team
Conduct early assessment, evaluation and surveillance of an incident to determine environmental public health hazards that may be present or that may potentially evolve as an incident develops, and further; identify initial Environmental Health strategies, resources and actions needed to preserve and protect human life, prevent further disease and/or injury, ensure the well being of/address emergency needs of populations and assist with recovery of critical infrastructure.
EH Hazard Identification / Field Response – Field Response Team
Following initial incident assessment by the Rapid Response Team appropriate EH Field Response Team(s) may be mobilized to conduct on-going field response activities in response to environmental health hazards associated with areas including:
- Drinking water
- Wastewater Food safety
- Solid waste
- Bio-medical waste
- Vector control/zoonotic disease
- Hazardous materials/household hazardous waste
- Mass care shelters/emergency feeding facilities
- Chemical, biological and radiological contaminants
- Decontamination strategies/methods
- Risk assessment
- Public information - disease & injury prevention, personal hygiene promotion
- Engage response partners
- Identify and mitigate wide range of potential environmental health hazards.
- As required/needed assist w/non-traditional EH activities (e.g. mass dispensing) to accomplish broader PH mission. top
EH Hazard Identification / Field Response - Rapid Response Team MISSION/RESPONSIBILITIES
The Environmental Health Rapid Response Team (or Core Team) is activated to provide initial assessment and evaluation of environmental public health hazards of an incident and further, determine any additional professional staff and resources to be deployed to respond, mitigate and provide expertise and education pertinent to the environmental health hazard(s). The Core Team consists of 3 professionals from each of the 3 Environmental Health Operating Sections; Community Environmental Health, Environmental Hazards and Food & Facilities Protection. Following the initial event assessment/hazard identification process, the Core Team may complete all required tasks for a small and/or isolated event or; the Core Team may expand (morph) into various specific event or special emphasis teams by incorporating (activating) specialty staff from the appropriate EH Section(s) and disciplines. Professional Staff will be mobilized into an expanded Core Team. Team(s) (depending on event scope) would consist of a Team Leader who is the most experienced and other staff with appropriate specialties. Environmental Health, depending on the event, will partner with other Divisions within Public Health and/or all the appropriate external agencies. top
Mass Vaccination/Dispensing – Medication Center Team MISSION/RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide vaccinations or medications to a large number of people in a short amount of time. In the event of disease outbreaks, terrorist acts, hazardous materials emergencies, or major trauma events, local supplies of vaccines, antibiotics and other medical equipment may be quickly depleted. During such events, Public Health may access state and federal resource assistance by requesting mobilization of the Strategic National Stockpile (SUNS) of medical supplies. As part of Public Health’s Strategic National Stockpile Activation Plan, Public Heath will operate “Medication Centers” for dispensing needed medicines or vaccines to the public.top
Mass Isolation & Quarantine/Social Distancing – Legal/Law Enforcement Team MISSION/RESPONSIBILITIES
Support the legal process for involuntary detention for purposes of isolation and quarantine. Coordinate with the Prosecuting Attorney's Office; prepare affidavits and/or declarations; deliver notice to persons subject to orders; coordinate with law enforcement when necessary; track court review dates; support Public Information Office readiness for media inquiries.
Risk Communications/Education – Public Information Call Center Team MISSION/RESPONSIBILITIES
Operated by the Communications Team of Public Health – Seattle & King County, the primary focus of the (PICC) Public Information Call Center is to provide general, non-medical information to the residents of King County during a crisis event. It is activated, when multiple divisions of Public Health are involved in responding to a specific event. top
Risk Communications/Education – Joint Information Center Team MISSION/RESPONSIBILITIES
In the event of an emergency, the JIC will act as a central point for the development and dissemination of public information in support of Public Health. The JIC is charged with the task of supporting the PH-EOC by supplying accurate, consistent, and clear information to the media, public, and county government employees. In a large-scale event, King County’s Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) will become the managing body for Media Communications and the Public Health EOC Communications team will provide the appropriate Public Health liaison and subject matter expertise to the ECC.top
Emergency Management – Public Health EOC Staff Team MISSION/RESPONSIBILITIES
Each EOC Representative within the Operations Section mobilizes and deploys the resources of their department as needed to support Field Operation and gather incident information for dissemination within the EOC. They are supervised by the Operation Section Chief or Incident Commander if no Operations Section Chief is appointed.
- Coordinates the response of Department resources to meet operational needs.
- Collects information regarding Department activities and impacts effecting Department response.
- Participates in action planning and operational meetings when necessary.
- Communicates Department policy issues that impact response and recovery operations to the Operations Section Chief and Incident Commander.
- Maintains clear documentation of all missions filled and generated, and all incident information effecting EOC operations. top
Emergency Management – County/City EOC Liaisons Team MISSION/
ECC Representatives are designated by their county departments, districts, or non-profit organizations to carry out emergency coordination functions for their organization during emergencies and disasters. Reps identify resource needs, coordinate the mobilization of department resources, and gather incident information for dissemination between the Seattle EOC and the PH EOC / Duty Officer. They maintain contact with King County Office of Emergency Management staff during routine or minor incidents. During major events, ECC Representatives report to the county ECC upon activation to coordinate response issues with other agencies. ECC Reps maintain the knowledge, experience, training and authority to implement their portion of the County Emergency Management Plan. This includes collecting and disseminating disaster information regarding their agency's response activities and damages, and requesting or mobilizing resources to address impacts.
- Coordinates resource requests between the EOC and the PH EOC to meet operational needs
- Collects and communicates information regarding PH activities and impacts and threats
- Develops the ESF 8 Action Plan
- Participates in action planning and operational meetings when necessary
- Communicates PH policy issues that impact response and recovery operations
- Maintains clear documentation of all PH missions filled and generated within the PH EOC
- Ensures a smooth flow of information between the PH EOC / Duty Officer and the Seattle EOC regarding operational issues and policy decisions
- Makes recommendations to the PH EOC / Duty Officer regarding activation of additional PH resources and changes to EOC staffing levels top
Emergency Management – Radio Communications TeamMISSION/RESPONSIBILITIES
Public Health has an Amateur Radio team to activate as an alternate method of maintaining communications between the PHEOC, PH sites and other EOCs. The team will consist of several PH licensed amateur radio operators who will work in a variety of locations around the county.
Emergency Management – Team: Incident Command Post Field Team MISSION/RESPONSIBILITIES
PH Field Operations Liaison Representatives are deployed as the Public Health resource to an incident command post, EOC or other field location at the direction of the PH Incident Commander. They serve as the single point of contact for communications between a specific field location and the PH EOC, facilitate better communication of information and decision making between the PH EOC and partner agencies involved in the response, coordinates with and reports directly to the PH Incident Commander or Deputy Incident Commander. The position may be filled by a designated PHSKC Field Operations Liaison or a member of a partner agency coordinating on behalf of Public Health. They make operational decisions, as needed, in coordination with the PH Incident Commander and may serve as a liaison to an Incident Command or Unified Command established on-scene or at an EOC; may serve as a liaison within a planning or operations section.top
