Community Disaster Plan
Community Disaster Plan
Community Disaster Plan
EMERGENCY
PLANNING GUIDELINES
In Relation to Community Disaster Plan
“An Action Plan of having an Active Community Health Center and its emergency plan
for the betterment of the Cebuanos and Future Generations”
Submitted by:
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COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER EMERGENCY PLANNING GUIDELINES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION........................................................................................ 1
A) PREPAREDNESS.............………………............................................... 3
Getting Organized
Supplies and Equipment
Establishing Emergency Communications Systems
Planning Ahead for Evacuations
Reducing Exposure to Risks and Hazards
B) RESPONSE .........…………………………........................................... 15
Overview
Emergency Response Actions
To Implement an Evacuation
How to Assist People with Disabilities During and Evacuation
C) RECOVERY ……………………………................................................ 24
Support Services and Assistance
Documenting Emergency Outcomes
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COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER EMERGENCY PLANNING GUIDELINES
INTRODUCTION
Emergencies and disasters can happen at any moment - and, they usually occur without warning. When
an emergency strikes, our immediate safety and prompt recovery will depend on the existing levels of
preparedness among faculty, staff, and students.
Each Community Health Center has an important role to play in maintaining the facility’s emergency
preparedness and safety. We are an interdependent community.
Community Health Center Emergency Plans are written to provide fundamental support for the general
medical school Emergency Plan. During a major emergency or disaster, the medical school Emergency
Management Team (EMT) will rely on effective communication between the “Emergency Operations
Center (EOC)”, corresponding “Community Health Center Operations Centers (DOCs)” in individual
campus Community Health Centers.
Clearly, Community Health Center Emergency Plans are an essential building block of the University’s
emergency response. They are also part of every unit’s basic health and safety responsibilities and
business continuity planning. Community Health Center Emergency Plans outline how an organization
will:
Protect the safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors in the Community Health Center,
Safeguard vital records and resources related to the Community Health Center’s mission,
and
Coordinate with the University’s emergency response and recovery procedures
The “Emergency Handbook” is distributed to every Community Health Center to provide a current copy of
the Emergency Plan, and to offer a model for developing local area contingency plans. The guidelines for
Community Health Center Emergency Plans will produce comprehensive, yet simple and flexible,
procedures that units can apply to a variety of emergency incidents that may occur, including
Earthquakes
Fires or Explosions
Hazardous Materials Releases
Extended Power or Utility Outages
Floods
Mass Casualty Events
Emergencies are classified as minor or major, according to their severity and potential program impact.
Materials in this Handbook provide guidance for any emergency level. The guidelines will help
Community Health Center Officials to identify key emergency roles and responsibilities, plan ahead for
safe building evacuations and effective emergency communications, and develop strategies for resuming
normal functions after emergency conditions subside.
A. PREPAREDNESS
B. RESPONSE
C. RECOVERY
The materials can serve as templates to create a new Community Health Center Emergency Plan, or they
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COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER EMERGENCY PLANNING GUIDELINES
can be incorporated directly into existing Community Health Center documents. By keeping emergency
preparedness plans in a loose-leaf binder, Community Health Centers can easily customize or update the
contents
The enclosed forms should be adapted or augmented to fit an organization’s mission, staffing, relative
location(s), or other unique circumstances. For example, an emergency plan in a laboratory science
Community Health Center will address hazardous materials concerns; while an administrative service unit
will address client issues.
Whatever form a Community Health Center Emergency Plan takes, it should include the unit’s policies
relating to the emergency “chain of command,” a definition of essential personnel and mission-critical
functions, staff release-time policies, and internal emergency communications procedures.
The Emergency Plan must be known and understood before an emergency occurs. Community Health
Center heads should take immediate steps to:
Share this important safety information with all faculty, staff, researchers and students annually
Brief all new personnel as they join the Community Health Center
Keep multiple copies of the Plan in accessible locations throughout the organization
Ensure that managers keep a copy of the Community Health Center Plan at home
A) PREPAREDNESS
GETTING ORGANIZED
The first step in building Community Health Center preparedness is to assemble appropriate human and
physical resources to do the job.
Every Community Health Center should have an “Emergency Coordinator” to help develop and implement
their Community Health Center Emergency Plan. An Emergency Coordinator must be familiar with the
Community Health Center’s programs and physical facilities, and should be a person with the
management experience and financial authority to:
Collaborate with the Community Health Center head to develop and maintain
the information in the Community Health Center Emergency Plan
Recruit a core “Emergency Preparedness Committee” that represents staff,
faculty, and principal investigators from the Community Health Center’s
major divisions or locations
Arrange related staff safety education and training
Purchase Community Health Center emergency supplies and equipment
Be ready to support the Community Health Center head and business
manager during an emergency incident (and be called back to campus if
necessary).
Be ready to help prepare post-disaster impact summaries and insurance
claims
Emergency Coordinators whose supervisors serve at the University
Emergency Operations Center will also interface with the Medical Public
Affairs as “Information Coordinator” for their area
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COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER EMERGENCY PLANNING GUIDELINES
Some Community Health Centers already have individuals assigned to coordinate safety functions (for
example, areas with active “Community Health Centeral Safety Coordinators”), and may already have
broad-based Safety Committees. These units can easily incorporate emergency preparedness planning
into their programs.
Both existing and newly formed Emergency Preparedness Committees should consider dividing their
members into an Emergency Response Team and an Emergency Recovery Group to handle those
specialized activities.
The “Emergency Response Team” should be trained to help disseminate emergency instructions,
assist evacuations and security, and provide first aid if necessary.
The “Emergency Recovery Team” should be prepared to document the effects of the emergency
and coordinate facility and program restoration, according to priorities identified by the
Community Health Center executive.
Community Health Centers will need basic emergency supplies and equipment to be as self-sufficient as
possible after an emergency. Community Health Center emergency kits will vary in size and composition
according to an organization’s structure and function, but all Community Health Centers should have the
following essentials in an accessible location:
Other resources Community Health Centers may consider to add to their emergency supplies include
such items as megaphones, two-way radios, rescue tools, stretchers, cots, and packaged emergency
rations.
Every manager should encourage employees to keep a personal emergency kit in their work area. These
kits should contain the employee’s flashlight, back-up eyeglasses and medications, sturdy shoes, a
sweater, a wrapped snack and water packet, and personal emergency contact numbers.
Be certain that your Emergency Plan includes procedures for making critical notifications during business
hours and during after hours emergencies.
Establish “telephone trees” and “distribution” voicemail and email lists to initiate rapid emergency
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COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER EMERGENCY PLANNING GUIDELINES
notifications. (Be ready to use your web page for making updates during extended incidents).
Create a Community Health Center “Emergency Hotline” so that faculty, staff, and students can
call into your Community Health Center to hear recorded announcements and instructions about
emergency effects on your program
Keep the Emergency Operations Center number at-hand.
DISASTER COMMUNICATIONS
During a disaster, Community Health Centers with large divisions should have their divisions send
emergency impact reports to their Community Health Centeral Community Health Center Operations
Center (DOC). Community Health Center Emergency Coordinators will then send prioritized emergency
impact reports to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The EOC serves as a central coordination
point for deploying resources and information to campus locations.
Division A
Emergency
Community Management
Division B Health Center Team at the
Operations Center central “EOC”
“DOC”
Division C
A building evacuation is mandatory whenever a fire alarm sounds, and building occupants should exit
immediately. Building evacuations also follow severe earthquakes, after the shaking stops. After a
building has been evacuated, occupants must wait for a safety inspection before re-entry.
If a complete campus evacuation and closure is necessary during a disaster, it will be announced and
coordinated by the Emergency Management Team from the Emergency Operations Center. Facility
evacuations will be sequential to maintain safety and avoid traffic gridlock.
Note that it may or may not be necessary to vacate the building during minor Level 1 emergency
incidents, or even during some major Level 2 events. Occupants in the area may simply be directed
remain on-site and shut down systems, or they may be asked to move to other sectors of their floor or
building. In some events (such as extended power outages), evacuations are not necessary unless the
incident has generated a hazardous materials incident or immediate health and safety risk. In limited
emergencies, wait for evacuation instructions and engage your Emergency Response Team to
communicate the information throughout the Community Health Center.
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COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER EMERGENCY PLANNING GUIDELINES
Review evacuation information and responsibilities with faculty, PIs, staff and students.
Conduct evacuation drills annually. Plan evacuation needs with disabled personnel.
Plan where to go during an evacuation, and know the routes to get there
Building evacuees go to your Community Health Center’s designated Emergency Assembly Point (EAP).
EAPs are safe outdoor destinations where personnel meet to notify managers of their safety and get
emergency information and assistance.
FIRE PREVENTION
Know the location of alarm stations and extinguishers. Know how to use them
Leave fire doors closed at all times
Clear obstructed corridors, aisles and room exits
Use only grounded electrical plugs
Limit use of extension cords and multiple outlets
Do not use mechanical rooms or utility rooms for storage
Do not smoke in facility
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COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER EMERGENCY PLANNING GUIDELINES
EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS
Know how and where to take cover during a quake
Anchor bookcases, cabinets, and files over 42 inches. Do not stack furniture
Move tall furniture away from exits. Do not use tall furniture as room dividers
Secure computers, equipment, and display cases. Store heavy items at floor level
Back-up data and sensitive information, store duplicates off-site
Communicate these important preparedness measures to your students, faculty, researchers and staff.
Your Community Health Center’s level of readiness for an emergency situation depends not only on
having an up-to-date plan document, but also on keeping your constituents aware of their personal
responsibility for safety.
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COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER EMERGENCY PLANNING GUIDELINES
Emergency Coordinator
Team Members
Emergency Coordinator
Team Members
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COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER EMERGENCY PLANNING GUIDELINES
B) RESPONSE
OVERVIEW
Everyone in a facility - staff, and visitors - must take appropriate and deliberate action when an
emergency strikes a building, a portion of the campus, or entire campus community. Decisive leadership
is essential. Follow these important steps when there is an emergency:
Issue clear and consistent emergency notifications. Use all available communications tools
If there is no power or telephone systems are not functioning, emergency
communications will be profoundly restricted
will use messengers, radios, cellular phones, fax and email
Coordinate with your Community Health Center Director at the DOC during major
emergencies or disasters
When an emergency strikes the facility after normal business hours, or on weekends or holidays - or, if
you are off-site during a major emergency, obtain instructions from your Community Health Center
Director and monitor the Emergency Information Hotline and media reports.
If you are recalled to campus, be certain that your household safety is assured and that your route to
campus is safe and functional. Bring your personal emergency kit and a copy of the Community Health
Center plan to campus.
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COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER EMERGENCY PLANNING GUIDELINES
HAZMAT SPILL
MINOR release in the lab
Follow lab eyewash, rinse or shower procedures
Flush affected area continuously for 15 minutes
Vacate persons in immediate area if necessary
Clean spill if you have suitable training or call ####### for emergency assistance
Wear protective equipment
Use appropriate kit to contain, neutralize and absorb
Collect, containerize, and label waste
Call ####### for chemical waste pick-up
POWER OUTAGE
Assess the extent of the outage in your area
Report the outage to Facilities ##########
To obtain information about a prolonged outage, call the Emergency Operations Command
Center at XXX-XXX-XXXX
Help co-workers in darkened work areas move to safe locations
If practical, secure current experimental work, then move it to a safe location.
If you move chemicals on carts between floors, get assistance.
Hazardous spills are a significant risk during transport
Keep lab refrigerators or freezers closed throughout the outage
Unplug personal computers, non-essential electrical equipment and appliances
Open windows for additional light and ventilation
If you are asked to evacuate, secure any hazardous materials and leave the building
Release of personnel after an extended outage is determined by the Community Health
Center chair
EARTHQUAKE
Take cover immediately, direct others around you
Under a desk, table, or chair
Between seating rows in lecture halls
Against a corridor wall (cover head and neck)
Outdoors--in open area, away from buildings
Be alert for aftershocks, avoid potential falling hazards
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COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER EMERGENCY PLANNING GUIDELINES
TO IMPLEMENT AN EVACUATION
These directions will help to make the process effective and safe for you and your staff.
Use communications tools that are appropriate for the type of incident
and the time of occurrence:
Alarms
Phone trees or voicemail broadcast
Messengers
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COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER EMERGENCY PLANNING GUIDELINES
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COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER EMERGENCY PLANNING GUIDELINES
C) RECOVERY
SUPPORT SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE
After a major emergency or disaster, many people in our community will be distressed by personal and
professional difficulties. It is likely that affected students, faculty and staff may need some scheduling
flexibility or other temporary help in order to return to their customary activities. The following are only
some of the resources available on campus and in our community:
University Resources
Counseling for employees – Through Employee Assistance Program, People Resources
Housing listings
Transportation information
Academic assistance
It will be important to begin a timely and comprehensive assessment of the emergency’s physical and
operational effects. Plan ahead for how you will collect this important impact information. Be aware that
Your Community Health Center will need ongoing status reports from your unit during the
emergency to estimate when your program can be fully operational and to identify special facility,
equipment, and personnel issues or resources that will speed business resumption
It may need detailed facilities data for the area to estimate temporary space reallocation needs
and strategies
Most insurance and FEMA assistance claims will require extensive documentation of damaged
facilities, lost equipment and resources, and special personnel expenses. Workers’
Compensation claims may arise if there are injuries in your Community Health Center.
All of your documentation on emergency impacts should be coordinated with your Community Health
Center Chair and the Emergency Management Team. The following forms provide formats for
summarizing this crucial information.
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COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER EMERGENCY PLANNING GUIDELINES
Take note that you should also plan to photograph or videotape facility or equipment damage
in your Community Health Center to provide a visual supplement for the written impact data.
It is very important that you record the emergency’s physical effects before you clean your
area or make repairs.
SUMMARY: COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER EMERGENCY STATUS
Date/time___________________
Dept/Bldg _____________________________
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COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER EMERGENCY PLANNING GUIDELINES
RECOVERY: DETAILED SPACE ASSESSMENT
Use this form to describe damage to utilities, fixtures, ceilings, walls, floors, windows, etc. on each floor of your Community Health Center’s building(s).
Send the information to your Community Health Center Chair/DOC Emergency Coordinator. The Community Health Center Chair or Community
Health Center Emergency Coordinator should then send a prioritized list to the Emergency Operations Center with a signed cover memo.
DEPT/BLDG_____________________________________ ROOM____________
DAMAGE______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
page _____of_____
DEPT/BLDG____________________________________________ROOM_________
Item________________________________Manufacturer______________________
Damage description____________________________________________________
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COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER EMERGENCY PLANNING GUIDELINES
RECOVERY: DETAILED PERSONNEL IMPACTS
Use this form to describe the emergency’s impact on staffing. Describe personnel issues related to program
resumption. Document employee overtime related to your emergency response and recovery. Send this
information to the Emergency Management Team, with the Community Health Center head’s signed cover
memo.
Summary: EMERGENCY IMPACTS TO COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER STAFFING
SUMMARY: EMERGENCY IMACTS TO COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER STAFFING
______________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Name_____________________________________________ Employee#_________________
OT Rate ____________
Benefits % ____________
Name_____________________________________________ Employee#_________________
OT Rate ____________
Benefits % ____________
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COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER EMERGENCY PLANNING GUIDELINES
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