The Wake Forest Emergency Communications Plan

Establishment of a chain of command in a situation such as a severe storm or other disaster is essential. Because there may be a disruption to commonly used manners of communication, such as television, telephones, and the internet, it is important to have a clear outline of where and to whom to report, how to find answers, and who will perform necessary tasks. In the simulation, the Public Health Department is both a link in the larger, county-wide chain of command and has its own hierarchy structure. Within the scope of the county, the Public Health Department reports to the Medical/Health Branch Director who is directly under the Operations Chief. The Operations Chief, who is in charge of managing and monitoring the actions of each department, reports to the Emergency Operations Commander. The Emergency Operations commander is the highest link in the chain, not only overseeing the operations of the various governmental departments, but also the officers in charge of Safety, Public Information, and Legal.

Planning for recovery will be implemented at the same time local governments are taking the emergency response actions necessary to protect the public. Preparations will be made for rapid deployment of resources necessary to facilitate

Crisis information during Hurricane Katrina was immediately available through mass media; television, radio, the emergency broadcast system, and social media. During emergencies, the importance of our country’s communications systems becomes clear. These

The current communication systems between first responders and other emergency officials have many existing problems. The first issue in communication between first responders is the inability to communicate over a completely wireless system. Wireless communication systems allow first responders to communicate, no matter the situation in which they are thrown. Communication through wireless systems are also more efficient, due to the updated technology that is used for wireless systems. First responders are also unable to communicate with exactly who they want,

Each include page contains example descriptions and columns labeled tasks, persons responsible and specific resources. The “task” sections of the crisis management plan are explicit guides on how to handle specific situations regarding students experiencing a crisis situation. The “persons responsible” column are sections where the school’s administrator must list the crisis management team members responsible for carrying out a specific task. Upon further review of the crisis management plan, the “persons responsible” column are at least 4 – 6 years outdated. Of the three administrators listed, two have not been employees of Gibsland-Coleman for at least 4 or more years. The “specific resources” section is quite frankly the most important part of the crisis management plan as it should list the most up-to-date contact information for all local police department, fire departments, ambulance, hospital and crisis lines. Similar to the persons responsible information where the information was there, but quite outdated, the specific resources information is completely blank. Although the school may have this information readily available in the front office, this information needs to be updated and placed in the crisis management plan for accurate records. As with most emergencies, there may time is of the essence. Having the appropriate contact information placed easily assessable, reduces the amount of time crisis management team members may spend searching for accurate contact

At the state level 13 of the 15 Emergency Support Functions (ESF) were activated and worked out of the state operations center, which allowed us to share information quickly, as well as coordinate response activities. At the state level the WOHS deputy director provided the leadership and we worked through and with the Operations Section Chief.” (R. Sherard, personal communication, June 10,

AHJ Agencies Having Local Authorities CDFD Civil Defense and Fire Department cf Adaptation factor CISM Critical Incident Stress Management CO Company Officer CP Command Post DMCS Disaster Management Communication System DRRPs Disaster Risk Reduction Projects DRR Disaster Risk Reduction FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency FR Fire and Risk authority IAP Incident Action Plan IC Incident Command System ICSSCI Incident Command System for Structural Collapse Incidents ICP Incident Command and establish effective operating position ICS Incident Command System LCS Logistics Section Chief MaPDRR Mapping Disaster Risk Reduction NFA National Fire Academy OSC Operation Section

Due to the vast array of resources that responded to the Cedar fire some were equipped with 800 MHz radios rather than the traditional VHF radios, which was a major communication challenge. Now all resources are equipped with VHF radios that are preprogrammed, but also have field programming capabilities, allowing for all resources to establish effective communications. Additionally, the Board of Supervisors joined the sheriff’s department to invest $22 million in a county regional communication system (S.D. Preparation, n.d.). These upgrades are vastly improved communications between emergency responders and adjoining

The president of Big Blue University (BBU) designated the Office of Communication with responsibility for all information during a crisis and selected Mark Hughes, the Director of Communications, as the official spokesperson for BBU. Currently, BBU faces an active shooter scenario; however, before addressing this situation, the following represent existing risk management and mitigation pre-event measures:

This incorporates the combined efforts of Lane County Emergency Management, Lane County Land Management, Lane County Fire Defense, Oregon Department of Transportation, United States Forest Service and Eugene Water and Electric Board. Emergency Management of Lane County works with the Community Emergency Notification System, which is a phone system set up to alert and inform the public in the event of an emergency. In addition, the Emergency Alert System is in place to notify of imminent danger. The Lane County Sheriff department operates the EAS for Lane County. Oregon Emergency Response System alerts local agencies that would respond to an incident through 9-1-1 services (OREGON.GOV,

Provide an emergency communication resource to remote and/ or unmonitored areas of the CTC Killeen campus.

When an emergency arises – natural disasters like wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, or other man-made accidents or deliberate disruptions – cell phone networks are often overloaded or inoperative. Emergency responders are overwhelmed. Travel and access are frequently restricted. Throughout it all, ham radio remains operative and trustworthy, with robust, autonomous communication networks to keep you informed and to connect one with their family members when it really counts. It has been debated whether Ham Radio should be the main form of communication during emergencies in the United States.

Today’s technology has enabled communication to various parts of the world a 24-hour service, which means that, in any emergency response circumstance, there will always be a continuous claim for information (Haddow & Haddow, 2013).

During emergencies, the importance of our country’s communications systems becomes clear. These communications systems include the wire line and wireless telephone networks, broadcast and cable television, radio, Public Safety Land Mobile Radio, satellite systems and increasingly the Internet. For example, in an emergency, we may dial 911, call our family members to make sure they are safe, and turn on our televisions and radios to get breaking news and important updates (FCC, 2012).

Establishing the incident command system is first and foremost. The system establishes a common organizational structure that is conducive for different types of agencies as well as multiple jurisdictions to be able to effectively work together in response to the situation. The components of this system include the Incident Commander, who oversees all aspects of the disaster response, operations, planning, logistics and finance/administrative (Briggs & Twomey, 2003).