Emergency Preparedness

Kern Medical Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)

2.2.1.9 Emergency response exercises incorporate likely disaster scenarios that allow Kern Medical to evaluate its handling of communications, resources, and assets, security, staff, utilities, and patients.

2.2.1 The response procedures address the prioritized emergencies and is adapted to other emergencies as well that the hospital may experience. The response procedures include but are not limited to the following: • Determination for maintaining and or expanding services during a disaster. • Conservation of resources. • Curtailment of services.

• Supplementing resources from outside the community. • Suspension of services to new patients during disaster. • Staged evacuation.

2.3 National Incident Management System (NIMS) 2.3.1 Kern Medical has incorporated the principles of NIMS into its Emergency Operations Plan to ensure maximum compatibility with local government response plans and procedures. 2.3.2 According to Homeland Security Presidential Directive- 8, NIMS shall be used by all State Agencies responding to any of the following emergency operations: • Single jurisdictional/agency involvement • Single jurisdictional responsibility with multiple agency involvement • Multiple jurisdictional responsibilities with multiple agency involvement 2.3.3 NIMS incorporates the Incident Command System (ICS) which provides an efficient tool for the management of emergency operations. NIMS/ICS is designed to be adaptable to any emergency or incident. The system expands in a rapid and logical manner from an initial response to a major incident call- out. When organizational needs dictate, the system also contracts just as rapidly. 2.3.4 These components of NIMS / ICS are incorporated or referenced in this EOP.

• Common terminology • Modular organization • Unified Command • Action Planning • Manageable Span-of-Control • Multi-Agency and Inter-Agency Coordination 2.3.5 NIMS operates at the following levels of government:

• State - Statewide resource coordination integrated with federal agencies through the California Division of Emergency Management (DEM) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH.) • Regional – Management and coordination of information and resources among City/Counties can be accomplished through

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