Community Crisis Response
Community Crisis Response During a public health disaster, search and rescue crews and emergency response personnel may be unavailable or incapacitated by the disaster. In preparation for a disaster such as a tornado or a severe thunderstorm with resulting flooding, a makeshift committee needs to be available. Many local government agencies go through a training program to develop an EOC or Emergency Operations Committee in their town in the event of a disaster. Such training is offered through courses called National Incident Management Systems, or NIMS and is required for all federal offices. After walking through a simulated disaster as the one entitled ‘Disaster in Franklin County’, I have recognized the successes and complications that can result from the mass confusion and panic.
NIMS structure is organized into 3 systems, one system being the Incident Command System. In this particular disaster, the Incident Command system committee was assembled of some very experienced local and government employees as well as some that will be in their roles for the first time. The chain of command starts with the Incident Commander, followed in order of responsibility by the Public Health Officer and the Liaison chief. Taking orders from them are the Operations chief, Planning Section chief, the Logistics chief and the Finance/ Administration chief. Their individual roles are assigned to them and are defined during the initial NIMS training. The incident commander will be the one responsible for organizing the plan, assigning roles, determining deadlines as well as goals of the organization. Another directly important role is the Public Information Officer, whom is responsible for disseminating the necessary information to the public to assure continued safety. This information relates to how to safely prepare and keep food, where safe water can be found, where shelter is available and what areas are expected to be effected by the disaster and for how long. Another
NIMS structure is organized into 3 systems, one system being the Incident Command System. In this particular disaster, the Incident Command system committee was assembled of some very experienced local and government employees as well as some that will be in their roles for the first time. The chain of command starts with the Incident Commander, followed in order of responsibility by the Public Health Officer and the Liaison chief. Taking orders from them are the Operations chief, Planning Section chief, the Logistics chief and the Finance/ Administration chief. Their individual roles are assigned to them and are defined during the initial NIMS training. The incident commander will be the one responsible for organizing the plan, assigning roles, determining deadlines as well as goals of the organization. Another directly important role is the Public Information Officer, whom is responsible for disseminating the necessary information to the public to assure continued safety. This information relates to how to safely prepare and keep food, where safe water can be found, where shelter is available and what areas are expected to be effected by the disaster and for how long. Another
References: 1. ‘Disaster in Franklin County’. From University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Retrieved May 4, 2013 from http://www.sph.umn.edu/details/course/7594/.