Emergency Preparedness

telephone, blast fax (if operating) The PIO may also make announcements for Licensed Independent Practitioners through radio and television media after messages are approved by the Incident Commander. 3. How the hospital will notify external authorities that emergency response measures have been initiated: Upon activation of the EOP, the HCC will establish mechanisms for initial and ongoing communication with external authorities. The specific mechanism(s) utilized will be dependent on the scope and duration of the emergency as well as its impact on communication methods. Standardized terminology and plain English communication standards will be followed for all communication with outside agencies. Several local agencies may play a role in managing an emergency. Some of the key contacts include law enforcement agencies, fire agencies, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Office of Emergency Management (OEM), Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the American Red Cross. Agencies are notified by the hospital Incident Commander or a designee (Liaison Officer) as soon as possible after an emergency response is initiated, followed by regular and ongoing communication during the incident or exercise scenario. 4. How the hospital will communicate with external authorities during an emergency: A representative from the organization should be appointed to act as an in-person Liaison if the County of Kern Operations Center (EOC) has been established. This person would be responsible for facilitating timely communication between the respective Command Centers. During large-scale events, a Joint Information Center (JIC) may be established in an attempt to communicate timely accurate information through a Joint Information System (JIS). This communication may be channeled through the hospital Public Information Officer (PIO), Liaison or other facility representative assigned to communicate with the JIC. Kern Medical is connected to the Kern County Emergency Management System via the HEAR radio located in the Emergency Department, the REddinett system and the HAVBED system. If the nature of the emergency is internal, then the HCC will notify the appropriate external authorities as soon as possible. These authorities should be provided with pertinent information including: 1. The nature and scope of the emergency 2. The potential or actual impact on the organization 3. A summary of actions taken (or to be taken) by the organization in response to the emergency 4. What assistance – if any – will be needed from the external authorities.