Tier 1 Local Exercise for Winter Storm Ilias

Tier 1 (Local ) Exercise for Winter Storm Ilias

Exercising for Budget Period 5 • Local (Tier 1) Exercises are Optional but encouraged (Support NOT Provided) • Area (Tier 2) Exercises are Encouraged (Support IS Provided) – see dates • Regional (Tier 3) Exercises are Encouraged (Support IS Provided) – see dates

Important Dates • Local (Tier 1) – Up to member agencies/jurisdictions • Area (Tier 2) • Monday, February 6, 2017 - Douglas County PH, Superior (9 -Noon) • Tuesday, February 14, 2017 - St. Croix Regional Med Ctr, St. Croix Falls (9 -Noon) • Monday, February 20, 2017 - St. Joseph's Hospital, Chippewa Falls (9 -Noon) • Regional (Tier 3) : Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at WITC-Rice Lake

Exercise Capabilities • • Critical Transport Operational Coordination (Emergency Ops Coordination) Operational Communications (Info Sharing) Public Health and Medical Services • Volunteer Management • Medical Surge

Objectives • Critical Transport • Ensure appropriate levels of critical transport throughout simulated event.

Objectives • Operational Coordination • Ensure coordinated response throughout simulated event by activating and sustaining the incident command system.

Objectives • Operational Communications • Ensure situational awareness throughout simulated event by maintaining a common operating picture.

Situation Report #1 • A severe winter storm, Ilias, is expected to impact the NW Region of Wisconsin within the next 18 -24 hours. A period of freezing rain, followed by heavy snow and high winds is highly likely. • Potential for power outage due to ice and downed power lines • Travel may be significantly impacted • Communications may be disrupted

Sit Rep 1 – Questions to Drive Play • Within your healthcare facility, what are you doing to prepare? • • Incident Command? Staffing issues? Supply/resource issues? Do other partner need to be involved at this time?

Sit Rep #2 - Update • The Winter Storm has hit in full force. Some staff are indicating that they are unable to report for their shift. Law enforcement is advising no travel, and travel restrictions are occurring. • Long term predictions are for an extended cold snap, along with high winds resulting in dangerous to extreme wind chills.

Sit Rep 2 – Questions to Drive Play • Staffing Issues • Delay/cancel certain services? • What is our power supply? Generator? Gas? Re-supply? • How long can we maintain independence? How?

Sit Rep #3 – Power Outage • Due to the weather power at your facility has been lost. Utilities are indicating that losses are widespread and state that it may be 36 -72 hours before full power is restored. • Multiple media outlets are indicating that the public is being greatly impacted and there are reports of families not being able to stay in their homes due to the cold.

Sit Rep #3 – Questions to Drive Play • What other services are being disrupted? • • Water Communications Food Resource re-supply (pharmaceuticals, etc. . ) • What within your 96 hour plans need to be activated? Who and how does this occur?

Sit Rep #4 – Uh oh…. . • You receive a phone call stating that the local long-term care facility can no longer sustain operations and is planning on transporting their 32 patients to you. • Skilled care will be required for this influx of patients.

Sit Rep #4 – Questions to Drive Play • What is your response to this request? • Can you handle this surge of patients while providing the appropriate level of care? • If you cannot, what is your solution or next step?

Communications Questions • How are you communicating internally? • What are your messages? • How are you communicating externally and with whom? (Partners) • How are you communicating to the public? • What are your messages?

Conclusion/Next Steps • Focus of this exercise was on Tier 1 (Local) response • Scenario may have driven you to realize that ‘we can’t handle this locally’. • This should lead to a request for the Activation of Tier 2 (Area) • To this, consider registering for and attending your upcoming Area exercise (see slide #3 for details)

Contacts – for questions/support • Brian Kaczmarski • Brian. kaczmarski@co. polk. wi. us • Aimee Wollman Nesseth • Aimee. Wollman. Nesseth@wisconsin. gov