Exercises for the Future the Hybrid Model Emergency Management Institute June 3, 2014
Dec 22, 2015
Where have we been
• Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) has been the benchmark for exercises.
• Workshop, Seminar, Tabletop, Drill, Functional and Full-Scale are the types.
• HSEEP website helps with design and implementation schedule.
Where are we going?
• Boston University Healthcare Emergency Management Graduate Program is looking at a Hybrid Exercise model.
• It combines elements of a workshop, seminar, tabletop and drill.
• Very targeted objectives and short duration (2.5 to 3 hrs long).
Benefits
• Short time frame is more pallatable for keeping costs down and for attention span.
• Keeping the scenario real is important for buy in and participation.
• You can do more (3) hybrids instead of one full day functional.– Include a functional element in each hybrid
Motive
• Exercise written to include maximum participation of agencies.
• Each agency will have to participate in what their role will be.
• The added benefit is agencies learn what others will do and have to integrate their response and plans with others.
BU HEM Plan
• Concept originally developed in Sandwich, MA and moved forward through the Boston University Graduate program.
• The exercise will always include a private sector participant to improve relations with the municipal sector partners.
• Public/Private partnerships are born and maintained after the exercise.
Operation Irene• Conducted in 2009 and 2010 at the
Spaulding Hospital Cape Cod.
• TTX on Hospital Hurricane Plan with a functional piece of actually boarding up windows, credentialing volunteers at the facility and evacuating patients.
• Total exercise length 3 hrs.
• Real “Hurricane Irene” hit in 2011
Intro/Overview
• Simulation exercise designed to test the capabilities of both in-hospital and pre-hospital personnel and equipment in the event of a partial or full evacuation of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients.
Silent Angels 1
• The first evolution was conducted in 2012 as a partial NICU Evacuation Drill
• Two “test” NICU patients were evacuated to awaiting ambulances, which were used as temporary NICU beds
Silent Angels 2
• Simulated evacuation of the entire NICU patient census of 18-19 babies
• Streamline both security and tracking of NICU patients by moving them all into a single transport asset
Two Phases
1. In-hospital preparation of patients for transport
2. Out-of-hospital loading and preparation of patients for continuous monitoring/treatment throughout duration of transport
Conclusions
• Hybrid is a new way to get to the finish line, while including education and functionality.
• Time and length of exercise is critical to participation and engagement.
• Allows for more frequency and variety over the fiscal year.
• In the past 2 years, more positives and then negative feedback on the hybrid.
Contact Information
Gregory Bond, MS EMT-P Adjunct Instructor
Boston University Healthcare Emergency Management [email protected]