CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS PLANNING

CT Department of Public HealthJill Kentfield, COOP Coordinator

September 25, 2008

Importance of COOP Planning

Activated during any kind of emergency/disaster that affects staffing levels

State/local governments, public health, health care providers are expected to develop COOPs

Depending on the outside entities, help may not be available for 48 hours to many weeks

Determine how you will keep your critical functions going when you are lacking staff

The COOP PlanShould be readily availableUpdated frequentlyWritten using common terminology and clear text (See NIMS/ICS structure)Designate person in charge who can access the plan and implement the protocols at a moments notice Train back-up personnel to assume roles

National Incident Management System

(NIMS)NIMS was created in response to the attacks on September 11. Improve the coordination of Federal, State, Local and private industry responses to incidentsHas become the standard for emergency management across the country.Requires the use of the Incident Command System (ICS) for all responses.Requires all levels of Government to adopt the ICS.

NIMS 700Link to this course can be found on https://ct.train.org/The course:

Introduces NIMS

Takes approximately three hours to complete

Explains the purpose, principles, key components and benefits of NIMS.

Provides you with "Planning Activity" screens giving you an opportunity to complete some planning tasks during this course.

Describes the chain of command in emergency response. Describes communication role(s) in emergency response.

Incident Command System

The Incident Command System (ICS) is a standardized, on-scene, all-hazard incident management concept used in the United States.A management protocol originally designed for emergency management agencies such as police and fire. ICS provides a common framework which allows people to work together effectively. Even if these people do not routinely work together.Is flexible and can grow or shrink to meet individual needs.

ICSLink to this course can be found on https://ct.train.org/

ICS 100 introduces the Incident Command System (ICS) Provides the foundation for higher level ICS trainingDescribes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of the Incident Command System. Explains the relationship between ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS)

ICS 200 focuses on ICS features describing in detail ICS features.

Describe the chain of command in emergency response. Apply creative problem solving and flexible thinking to unusual challenges within an individuals functional responsibility and evaluate effectiveness of all actions taken.

Connecticut’s Goals

Integrated and coordinated response of federal, state, regional, and local agencies

Protection of lives and properties

Continued operations and services as normally and effectively as possible in the event of a public health emergency

State PreparationDecember 2005

Governor Rell established interagency task force

February 2006Pandemic Summit in Hartford

October 2006 – February 2007State Agency participation in COOP training

State Agency COOP Plans drilled

July 2008Creation of CT’s Pandemic Flu Operations Plan

 

CT Influenza Interagency

Task Force

Meets monthlyCommunicate strategiesTeam approachInteroperability Coordination of policies

State Pandemic Influenza Operations Plan

Department of AgricultureDepartment of Commerce

Department of Defense Department of Education

Department of Health and Human Services

Department of Homeland Security Department of InteriorDepartment of Labor Department of State

Department of Transportation Department of Treasury

Department of Veterans AffairsHomeland Security Council

Office of Personnel Management

FEDERAL GUIDANCE TO ASSIST STATES IN IMPROVING STATE-LEVEL PANDEMIC

INFLUENZA OPERATING PLANS

Presented to the American States, Territories and District of Columbia

By

U. S. GOVERNMENT, including: Department of Agriculture Department of Commerce

Department of Defense Department of Education

Department of Health and Human Services Department of Homeland Security

Department of Interior Department of Labor Department of State

Department of Transportation Department of Treasury

Department of Veterans Affairs Homeland Security Council

Office of Personnel Management

March 11, 2008

Public Health - Part of Larger Plan

Connecticut’s

Emergency

Operations

Plan

COOP - Part of Everyone’s Plan

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

Pandemic Influenza Continuity of Operations Plan

CT DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH Hartford, CT

February 14, 2007

Version 1

Planning ConsiderationsChange in demand

Impact on customers and suppliers

Critical management functions

Protocols to continue critical operations

Legal requirements

Staffing ConsiderationsIdentify essential employees

Inform employees of your plan

Ensure employees are trained

Determine feasibility of work at home

Plan for high employee absenteeism

Determine if PPE is needed

DPH COOP Planning Efforts

DPH will function with lower staffing levelsMay not be available to respond to all requests for assistanceDPH plan relies on the public health and health care community to maintain their critical functionsCommunication is key

Components of DPH COOP Plan

Planning AssumptionsAgency Functions by PriorityCOOP Incident Management TeamContinuity Strategies, Dependencies, Triggers and Supporting ElementsAgency Functions by Priority and Strategy

Functions by PriorityUninterruptible Functions

Critical Functions

Ongoing Functions

Periodic Functions

Occasional Functions

DPH Uninterruptible Functions

Administration: PurchasingShipping/Receiving/Mail SvcsPayroll/ Health insurance/ time and laborScheduling/deploying staff

Communications:Crisis and Emergency Risk CommunicationMedia Relations509-8000 main lineMaintain HAN/WANS and MEDSAT

Government Relations: Governor/Legislator requests

DPH Uninterruptible Functions

Health Care Systems:Licensed health care institutionsLicensure case prosecutionInitial Licensing; Licensure RenewalCT Nurse Aide RegistryOversee EMS Providers

Operations:Coordinate Preparedness/Emergency Response

Planning: Maintain Vital Records

DPH Uninterruptible Functions

Laboratory: LIMS Maintain 24/7/365QA Incident Investigations Influenza TestingAccreditations/Certifications Rabies TestingOutbreak InvestigationsTesting for emerging agentsMaintain evidence/chain of custodyMaintain awareness with Hosp. Labs, ER's, etc Screen specimens for the presence of lead. Newborn Screening for 42 disordersTest for lead in paint, food, medicines, etc

DPH Uninterruptible Functions

Regulatory Services: Community Provider InvestigationsWEAR Team/systems surveysMutual aid among public water systemsAssessment & coordination of emergency declarationWell Siting Acute Quantity/QualityEmergency Investigations/SecurityFoodborne outbreak control & coordination; Foodborne Alert InvestigationRespond to worker and safety questionsToxicology & Site Assessment

DPH Uninterruptible Functions

Community Services:

WIC - Nutrition Services

Vaccine Distribution

Disease Reporting/ Investigations

Emergency Countermeasures Protocols

Partner notification services and Medication to STD medical personnel in CT

Tuberculosis Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) and Medication Distribution

How’s Your Plan Coming Along?

www.ct.gov/dph

www.ct.gov/ctfluwatchwww.ct.gov/ctfluwatch

Keeping Connecticut Healthy