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Standardized emergency management system and response to a smallpox emergency
Robert J Kim-Farley1, John T Celentano, Carol Gunter
1Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Robert@kimfarley.org
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine
|August 18, 2004
Summary
Los Angeles County developed a smallpox emergency plan using the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) frameworks. This comprehensive plan serves as a model for future public health responses to bioterrorism threats.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Emergency Management
- Biosecurity
Background:
- Smallpox is a high-priority, Category-A agent posing a significant global terrorism security risk due to its transmissibility, high mortality, and potential for public panic.
- Effective preparedness and response strategies are crucial for mitigating the impact of a potential smallpox outbreak.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the development and framework of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (LAC-DHS) Smallpox Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Plan.
- To highlight the integration of the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) within the smallpox response plan.
Main Methods:
- The plan explicitly utilizes the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) framework.
- SEMS integration includes the Incident Command System (ICS) structure, mutual-aid systems, and multi/interagency coordination.
- Key functional areas detailed include management, operations, planning/intelligence, logistics, and finance/administration.
Main Results:
- The plan details specific functions for smallpox outbreak control, including vaccination strategies, case management, surveillance, and decontamination.
- Logistics covers vaccine and supply management, while finance/administration addresses cost monitoring and procurement.
- The plan is developed and reviewed by expert groups and draws upon CDC guidelines and ACIP recommendations.
Conclusions:
- The LAC-DHS Smallpox Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Plan, incorporating SEMS and ICS, provides a robust model for managing smallpox emergencies.
- This framework is adaptable and serves as a template for developing LAC-DHS plans for other bioterrorism or natural outbreak responses.