scholarly journals (P1-30) Natural Disasters Challenge for Emergency and Rescue Services - Lessons Learned

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S1) ◽  
pp. s108-s108
Author(s):  
P.W. Gula ◽  
E.M. Szafran
Keyword(s):  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Communication Systems ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Local Response ◽  
Rescue Services ◽  
Regional Coordination ◽  
Road Systems ◽  
And Control

Natural disasters challenge for Emergency and Rescue Services- lessons learned Przemyslaw Gula MD PhD, Edyta Szafran Institute for Emergency Medicine. Krakow, Poland.In the period 2008–2010 Poland experienced series of natural disasters including 3 large scales flooding, 2 periods of extremely high snowfalls followed by low temperature periods and finally local flush flooding in different locations. The time of each disaster elapsed from several days up to 6 weeks. All of them had severe impact on local infrastructure by destroying road systems, communication as well as healthcare and fire brigade facilities. The rescue efforts required evacuation, Search and Rescue operations, providing medical care and shelter. The most problems occurred in following areas: - large scale evacuation - collapse of communication systems (including 112 dispatch) - inadequate number of specialized rescue equipment (helicopters, vehicles, boats, snowmobiles, etc.) - providing EMS in affected areas - necessity of evacuating hospitals. The lessons learned showed the need for following changes: - strong trans regional coordination in means of facilitation of utilizing civil protection and military recourses - unification of operative procedures for all actors of the response operation - improvement of communication systems and reducing their vulnerability on environmental factors - establishing regional crisis management and control centers, covering the emergency response activities in affected areas - need of large-scale use of HEMS as well as Police and military helicopters in natural disasters - need for better supply in specialized rescue equipment including recue motorboats, 4 wheels drive recue vehicles and ambulances, snowmobiles, quads in local response units. The main rule of commanding the entire operation is subsidiary. Local coordinating structures should be supported by regional and central governments by supplying necessary recourses. However the operational command should be unified and include all participating units and organizations.

Business Continuity Plan (BCP)

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 343-343
Author(s):  
Kenji Watanabe
Keyword(s):  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Business Continuity ◽  
Corporate Value ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
The Past ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Management Approaches

Among the lessons learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake, there were a large number of new findings, including which preparations functioned as planned and which did not. Now that a year has elapsed since the earthquake disaster, the parties concerned need to reexamine those measures which are yet to be implemented since we should not see the same results after a large scale disaster in the future as those we saw in the past. In this JDR Special Issue on Business Continuity Plan (BCP), I tried to ask for papers not only from academia but also from business fields to make this issue practical and useful to be leveraged for our next steps in preparing for incoming disasters. As a result, this issue obtains papers from various fields from academia to financial businesses and also with several different approaches which includes actual real case studies. Many of papers in this issue focus on intangible part of business continuity activities that is different from the traditional disaster management approaches which have mainly focused on tangibles or hardware reinforcement against natural disasters. Recent wide-area disasters taught us the importance of intangibles and we should start discussions more in details with aspects such as corporate value, emergency transportation & logistics, training & exercises, funding arrangement, and management systems. I hope that discussions and insights in this issue will help our discussions and actions to move forward. Finally, I really thank the authors’ insightful contributions and the referees’ intensive professional advices to make this JDR Special Issue valuable to our society in preparing for incoming disasters.

Challenge of Hospital Emergency Preparedness: Analysis and Recommendations

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (S1) ◽  
pp. S74-S82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph A. Barbera ◽  
Dale J. Yeatts ◽  
Anthony G. Macintyre
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
The United States ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Medical Emergency

ABSTRACTIn the United States, recent large-scale emergencies and disasters display some element of organized medical emergency response, and hospitals have played prominent roles in many of these incidents. These and other well-publicized incidents have captured the attention of government authorities, regulators, and the public. Health care has assumed a more prominent role as an integral component of any community emergency response. This has resulted in increased funding for hospital preparedness, along with a plethora of new preparedness guidance.Methods to objectively measure the results of these initiatives are only now being developed. It is clear that hospital readiness remains uneven across the United States. Without significant disaster experience, many hospitals remain unprepared for natural disasters. They may be even less ready to accept and care for patient surge from chemical or biological attacks, conventional or nuclear explosive detonations, unusual natural disasters, or novel infectious disease outbreaks.This article explores potential reasons for inconsistent emergency preparedness across the hospital industry. It identifies and discusses potential motivational factors that encourage effective emergency management and the obstacles that may impede it. Strategies are proposed to promote consistent, reproducible, and objectively measured preparedness across the US health care industry. The article also identifies issues requiring research. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2009;3(Suppl 1):S74–S82)

New Zealand ShakeOut exercise: lessons learned by schools

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 550-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karlene S. Tipler ◽  
Ruth A. Tarrant ◽  
David M. Johnston ◽  
Keith F. Tuffin
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Content Type ◽  
School Based ◽  
Emergency Events ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify lessons learned by schools from their involvement in the 2012 New Zealand ShakeOut nationwide earthquake drill. Design/methodology/approach – The results from a survey conducted with 514 schools were collated to identify the emergency preparedness lessons learned by schools through their participation in the ShakeOut exercise. Findings – Key findings indicated that: schools were likely to do more than the minimum when presented with a range of specific emergency preparedness activities; drills for emergency events require specific achievement objectives to be identified in order to be most effective in preparing schools; and large-scale initiatives, such as the ShakeOut exercise, encourage schools and students to engage in emergency preparedness activities. Practical implications – Based on the findings, six recommendations are made to assist schools to develop effective emergency response procedures. Originality/value – The present study contributes to the ongoing efforts of emergency management practitioners and academics to enhance the efficacy of school-based preparedness activities and to, ultimately, increase overall community resilience.

scholarly journals Flow virometry for process monitoring of live virus vaccines-lessons learned from ERVEBO

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffri Ricci ◽  
Kevin Minsker ◽  
Austin Kapish ◽  
James Osborn ◽  
Sha Ha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Process Monitoring ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Process Development ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Monitoring And Control ◽  
Live Virus ◽  
Virus Particles ◽  
Process Monitoring And Control ◽  
And Control

AbstractDirect at line monitoring of live virus particles in commercial manufacturing of vaccines is challenging due to their small size. Detection of malformed or damaged virions with reduced potency is rate-limited by release potency assays with long turnaround times. Thus, preempting batch failures caused by out of specification potency results is almost impossible. Much needed are in-process tools that can monitor and detect compromised viral particles in live-virus vaccines (LVVs) manufacturing based on changes in their biophysical properties to provide timely measures to rectify process stresses leading to such damage. Using ERVEBO, MSD’s Ebola virus vaccine as an example, here we describe a flow virometry assay that can quickly detect damaged virus particles and provide mechanistic insight into process parameters contributing to the damage. Furthermore, we describe a 24-h high throughput infectivity assay that can be used to correlate damaged particles directly to loss in viral infectivity (potency) in-process. Collectively, we provide a set of innovative tools to enable rapid process development, process monitoring, and control strategy implementation in large scale LVV manufacturing.

scholarly journals Overcoming Current and Preventing Future Nosocomial Outbreaks during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned at Three Hospitals in Japan

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (19) ◽  
pp. 10226
Author(s):  
Makiko Komasawa ◽  
Myo Nyein Aung ◽  
Kiyoko Saito ◽  
Mitsuo Isono ◽  
Go Tanaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Practical Knowledge ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Health Care Delivery Systems ◽  
And Control

Hospitals are increasingly challenged by nosocomial infection (NI) outbreaks during the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Although standardized guidelines and manuals regarding infection prevention and control (IPC) measures are available worldwide, case-studies conducted at specified hospitals that are required to cope with real settings are limited. In this study, we analyzed three hospitals in Japan where large-scale NI outbreaks occurred for hints on how to prevent NI outbreaks. We reviewed openly available information from each hospital and analyzed it applying a three domain framework: operation management; identification of infection status; and infection control measures. We learned that despite having authorized infection control teams and using existing standardized IPC measures, SARS-CoV-2 may still enter hospitals. Early detection of suspected cases and confirmation by PCR test, carefully dealing with staff-to-staff transmission were the most essential factors to prevent NI outbreaks. It was also suggested that ordinary training on IPC for staff does not always provide enough practical knowledge and skills; in such cases external technical and operational supports are crucial. It is expected that our results will provide insights into preventing NI outbreaks of COVID-19, and contribute to mitigate the damage to health care delivery systems in various countries.

scholarly journals Tools and Techniques for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)/COVID-19 Detection

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Hamid Safiabadi Tali ◽  
Jason J. LeBlanc ◽  
Zubi Sadiq ◽  
Oyejide Damilola Oyewunmi ◽  
Carolina Camargo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Specimen Collection ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
And Control

SUMMARY The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory disease coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has led to millions of confirmed cases and deaths worldwide. Efficient diagnostic tools are in high demand, as rapid and large-scale testing plays a pivotal role in patient management and decelerating disease spread. This paper reviews current technologies used to detect SARS-CoV-2 in clinical laboratories as well as advances made for molecular, antigen-based, and immunological point-of-care testing, including recent developments in sensor and biosensor devices. The importance of the timing and type of specimen collection is discussed, along with factors such as disease prevalence, setting, and methods. Details of the mechanisms of action of the various methodologies are presented, along with their application span and known performance characteristics. Diagnostic imaging techniques and biomarkers are also covered, with an emphasis on their use for assessing COVID-19 or monitoring disease severity or complications. While the SARS-CoV-2 literature is rapidly evolving, this review highlights topics of interest that have occurred during the pandemic and the lessons learned throughout. Exploring a broad armamentarium of techniques for detecting SARS-CoV-2 will ensure continued diagnostic support for clinicians, public health, and infection prevention and control for this pandemic and provide advice for future pandemic preparedness.

Industry and Government Roles in Addressing Historic Properties in Oil Spill Response: Lessons Learned From A Recent Exercise and Incidents

2001 ◽  
Vol 2001 (1) ◽  
pp. 693-697
Author(s):  
Tina M. Toriello ◽  
Jan Thorman ◽  
Pamela Bergmann ◽  
Richard Waldbauer
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Response ◽  
Oil Spill ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Hazardous Substances ◽  
Hazardous Substance ◽  
National Response ◽  
Response Team ◽  
Oil Spill Response

ABSTRACT This paper focuses on industry and government roles for addressing historic properties during oil spill response. In 1997, the National Response Team (NRT) developed a Programmatic Agreement on Protection of Historic Properties during Emergency Response under the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (PA) (National Response Team, 1997). At the 1999 International Oil Spill Conference (IOSC), U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) representatives discussed the development and implementation of the PA, which is intended to ensure that historic properties are appropriately taken into account during the planning for and conducting of emergency response to oil spills and hazardous substance releases. Following the 1999 IOSC, DOI and Chevron representatives began a dialog regarding industry and government roles under the PA. Chevron invited the DOI representatives to participate in an October 1999 large-scale, industry-led spill exercise; a precedent-setting drill that included historic properties protection as a key objective. This 2001 paper focuses on how industry and government have worked together to protect historic properties, government roles in PA implementation, and lessons learned. As an example of what industry can do to support the protection of historic properties during planning and response activities, this paper describes Chevron's Historic Properties Program, a program managed under its emergency spill response environmental functional team (EFT). A discussion of lessons learned focuses on the need for clear definition of industry and government roles, and the benefits of building a foundation of cooperation between industry and government to protect historic properties. Of particular importance is the inclusion of historic properties in all aspects of oil spill preparedness and response, including planning, drills, training, and response organization structure and staffing. Experience from incident response in Alaska has shown that the PA assists Federal On-Scene Coordinators (FOSCs) and responsible parties, while also protecting historic properties, when the FOSC is prepared to implement the PA promptly and effectively.

LESSONS LEARNED, BEST PRACTICES, AND COMMON SENSE FROM U.S. GOVERNMENT-LED NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS FOR RESPONSE EXERCISE PROGRAM (PREP) DRILLS

2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 (1) ◽  
pp. 357-361
Author(s):  
Dennis Cashman
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Common Sense ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Public Affairs ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
And Control ◽  
National Preparedness ◽  
Response Exercise

ABSTRACT Professionals who design or participate in oil and hazardous material exercises would benefit from knowing historical lessons learned and best practices relative to the design and execution of exercises before they begin to develop or participate in similar exercises. In accordance with the “National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP) Guidelines” the staff at the USCG National Strike Force Coordination Center in Elizabeth City, NC has been in the business of designing, executing, and evaluating U.S. government-led PREP drills since 1993 and have accumulated abundant lessons learned and best practices relative to large scale exercises that would be beneficial to share with the response community. PREP exercises typically require six months to plan and design, three days to execute the drill with up to 300 participants, and three days to draft lessons learned. This paper will focus on lessons learned, problem areas, best practices, work arounds, and common sense pertaining to numerous subjects during the life cycle of designing and executing an exercise such as: Initial Design Phase; Functions of a Joint Design Team; Pre exercise Training; Play and Control Spaces; Communications; Incident Command System; Funding; Logistics; Notifications; Objectives; Public Affairs; and Improvements to Area Contingency Plans.

Large-Scale Coordination in Emergency Response

2005 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 534-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura G. Militello ◽  
Emily S. Patterson ◽  
Robert Wears ◽  
Jill A. Ritter
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Response ◽  
Situation Awareness ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Time Pressure ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Governmental Agencies ◽  
Information Displays ◽  
Emergency Operations Center ◽  
Reference Tools

Coordination is a key element in emergency response. This paper focuses on coordination as it occurred in a county-level Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during a simulated tornado. The EOC is responsible for locating, purchasing, and transporting resources to the disaster scene(s). The EOC is an ad hoc team made up of government agencies, private companies (i.e., hospitals, utilities, etc.), and non-governmental agencies. These decision makers come together to engage in creative problem solving in order to solve often complex logistics and coordination problems generally under intense time pressure during a rapidly evolving situation. Lessons learned from this exercise highlight coordination challenges including asymmetric information flow, natural fault lines, roles and functions, co-location benefits, emergent leadership, fragmented situation awareness, information displays, room design, and quick reference tools.

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