EMC365 - EMSA Exercise - Training

This is an overview of the annual EMSA Exercise titled the "State of California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) Statewide Medical & Health Services Disaster Exercise, November 14, 2002" and conducted by that authority.

The EMSA Executive Summary reads:

"This is California's 4th annual exercise, and we continue to expand the number of participants to include hospitals and other healthcare providers (including long-term care facilities and clinics;: pre-hospital care providers, auxiliary communications networks, blood banks and local and regional government agencies."As this is a communications bulletin only those aspects are included.

AUXILIARY COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS (ACS) EXERCISE Objectives:

ACS PRE-EXERCISE Objectives

1. Identify agencies with auxiliary communications systems and ascertain location of operators and frequencies utilized
2. Coordinate with local auxiliary communications radio operators on use of frequencies, protocols and forms used during an exercise/actual event

ACS EXERCISE Objectives

1. Test regional/statewide network voice systems and redundant communications in coordination with local amateur radio operators, using established frequencies, protocols and data collection-reporting forms
2. Pass 2-way comm. messages between state, regional and OA providers (For frequencies, see ACS Exercise Guidebook page 31)

Operational Area (Exercise Contact Objectives)

1. Assess OA ability to collect timely, accurate and appropriate data from participants
2. Demo ability to access/transmit RIMS information to region and state MEDICAL and HEALTH authorities
3. Evaluate RIMS system including appropriateness and accuracy of medical and health response and recovery systems
4. ACTIVATE auxiliary communications systems and pass two-way messages to regional and state providers.

TIME LINE and DEADLINE for "Amateur Radio and Emergency Communications Systems:"

9/13/02 - Deadline to FAX Intent to Participate form to OA MEDICAL- HEALTH EXERCISE CONTACT (table list contacts in EACH OA)

11/14/02 - Exercise begins at 7 AM with event occurring at 8 AM During exercise, agency/facility status reports are due to OA EOC's. (See scenario simulation time line)

11/29/02 - Deadline to complete and mail the Master Answer Sheet to the CA EMS Authority to receive a participation certificate."

(NOTE: Emergency and ACS Providers have 14 questions on an "Exercise Evaluation Questionaire")The Exercise Guidebook, ACS Exercise Guidebook and Exercise Contact Toolkit are available at the following URL: www.emsa.cahwnet.gov/dms2/hospambex.asp

FORMS for ACS are in the ACS Exercise Guidebook Pages 25-29 and "are to be utilized when standard communications systems are not functioning, and information is conveyed through auxiliary communications systems. However, the data on these forms, based on the Response Information Management System (RIMS) fields, is critical information for the region and the State to receive from the operational area during a disaster."

If the above URL doesn't get you there use this: www.emsa.cahwnet.gov Click on "Disaster Medical Services"...under "Current hot topics" click on "2002 Statewide Medical and Health Disaster Exercise."