Disaster Medical System

Medical Resource Management and Support

Function 3: Coordination of Disaster Medical and Health Resources

Element 3.1: Resource planning and preparedness

Guideline 3.1.2: Ambulance contracting language for out-of-county response

Element 3.2: Resource acquisition, allocation and mobilization

Guideline 3.2.1: Resource Acquisition

Guideline 3.2.2: Resource Allocation

Guideline 3.2.3: Resource Mobilization

Element 3.3: System for distribution, utilization and support of external resources

Guideline 3.3.1: Support for out-of-area ambulances

Element 3.4: Resource tracking

Guideline 3.4.1: Resource Tracking

Element 3.5: Deactivation/demobilization

Guideline 3.5.1: Resource Deactivation/Demobilization

MEDICAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to provide direction for the management of medical resources and for support for requested resources.

II. AUTHORITY

Health and Safety Code, Division 2.5, Sections 1797.150-152

III. DEFINITIONS

A. Medical/Health Operational Area Coordinator (OAC) means the individual responsible for the coordination of medical and health resources and activities within the operational area.

B. Medical Mutual Aid refers to medical resources utilized outside of the Operational Area’s arrangements for response to day-to-day needs.

IV. POLICY

A. Contracting

1. Vendors of Rresources that can be anticipated to be utilized in a disaster should be encouraged to enter into written agreements that specify the following:

a. Anticipated use of the resource in a disaster;

b. Terms of availability (cost, restrictions, time elements, etc.);

c. Who can request the resource and how;

d. Who can authorize use of the resource; and

e. Contact information.

2. Ambulance contracts should include concepts listed in the Disaster Medical Services Guidelines and Standards, Guideline 3.1.2.

B. Requesting Resources

1. The M/H OAC must be involved in Rrequests for out-of-area medical resources. must go through he Medical/Health OAC.

2.a. Uniformed medical resources Disciplines such as fire and law enforcement, if accessing medical resources through their respective mutual aid channels, should collaborate with the Medical/Health OAC to assure that resource requests are not duplicated or unclear.

b. The M/H OAC, when accessing medical resources through mutual aid channels, should collaborate with uniformed OA representatives to assure that resource requests are not duplicated or unclear.

3.2. Jurisdictions that receive medical mutual aid are expected to provide all logistics support to the responding resources unless otherwise specified or agreed upon. Logistics support may include all of the following: food, shelter, medical supplies, mental health support, communication, maps and directions, fuel and reasonable vehicle maintenance, transportation, security.

4.3. Resources entering the Operational Area or being released from the response shall enter and leave through established medical staging areas. Release of resources shall occur in a manner consistent with the Disaster Medical Services Guidelines and Standards, Element 3.5.1.

C. Allocation of Resources

1. Allocation of available resources shall be in accordance with the Operational Area Action Plan as determined by the Medical/Health OAC.

2. The Planning Section of the Operational Area EOC or the Medical/Health DOC shall maintain records of resource use as described in the Disaster Medical Services Guidelines and Standards, Element 3.4.

V. CONSIDERATIONS

A. Resources that can be anticipated to be utilized in a disaster and should be considered for the establishment of contracts include the following:

1. Locations for the placement of the medically fragile (e.g., those currently housed in Extended Care Facilities, hospice patients);

2. Locations for the placement of specialty populations (e.g., developmentally disabled currently housed in Board and Care facilities);

3. Those providing pharmaceuticals and medical supplies;

4. Existing clinics and medical offices that can be used as Field Treatment Sites;

5. Existing non-medical facilities (e.g., high schools, public buildings) that can be used for Field Treatment Sites or staging areas;

6. Methods for processing and utilizing skilled medical volunteers and non-medical volunteers; and

7. Collaboration with existing community agencies related to the provision of specific services.