Definition and Functions of Health Unified Command and Emergency Operations Centers for Large-scale Bioevent Disasters Within the Existing ICS

Abstract

The incident command system provides an organizational structure at the agency, discipline, or jurisdiction level for effectively coordinating response and recovery efforts during most conventional disasters. This structure does not have the capacity or capability to manage the complexities of a large-scale health-related disaster, especially a pandemic, in which unprecedented decisions at every level (eg, surveillance, triage protocols, surge capacity, isolation, quarantine, health care staffing, deployment) are necessary to investigate, control, and prevent transmission of disease. Emerging concepts supporting a unified decision-making, coordination, and resource management system through a health-specific emergency operations center are addressed and the potential structure, function, roles, and responsibilities are described, including comparisons across countries with similar incident command systems.

Leadership in limbo: Characteristics of successful incident commanders in health sector of a disaster‐prone country

“…The important questions to be answered, therefore, are "who is the appropriate leader for healthcare systems in emergency situations? " and "what are the necessary characteristics for such leaders? "…”

“…International studies have shown a significant gap in disaster commanding requirements, and Iran is no exception. To eliminate the existing barriers and to improve disaster management in Iran, the present study aimed to explore the required characteristics of the operational incident commanders in Iranian health sector.…”

Biowarfare and Bioterrorism

“…The rapid recognition, and effective response, to a bioterrorism event requires that clinicians and public health officials work together. [42][43][44] In some circumstances, such as smallpox, the diagnosis of a single case triggers the alarm that a bioterrorism event has occurred. 45 However, for any of the diseases with a naturally occurring incidence, as well as with a novel organism or illness that has not yet been identified, it is the existence of a cluster of cases in a geographic area that triggers suspicion of a possible bioterrorism attack or emerging epidemic ( Table 5).…”

Preparedness for the evaluation and management of mass casualty incidents involving anticholinesterase compounds: A survey of emergency department directors in the 12 largest cities in the United States

“…HICS (formerly called the Hospital Emergency Incident Command System)'" is an adaptation for hospitals of the incident command system mandated by The Joint Commission; its importance is widely recognized. 45,46 It is not surprising that almost all ED directors had at least heard ofHICS, although the finding that only about half were very conversant with it and that just over half were very familiar with specific roles assigned to ED www.disastermedicinejoumal.com personnel in HICS is disturbing. Similarly, although experiences with both simulated and actual MCls have proven that communication, including communication involving written memoranda, is ahnost universally a weak link in a disaster,47.50 the observation that more than one-third of respondents reported no written agreements with other hospitals is discouraging.…”