Schools Pandemic Influenza & Public Health Emergency Exercise Program A part of the LACOE Series...

Schools’ Pandemic Influenza & Public Health Emergency Exercise Program

Schools’ Pandemic Influenza & Public Health Emergency Exercise Program

A part of the LACOE Series sponsored by the

Los Angeles County Department of Public

Health

EXERCISE NAME

EXERCISE DATE

Exercise Logistics Exercise Logistics

•Phones, Pagers, Blackberries, iPhones, etc.

•Restrooms•Refreshments•Parking Validation•Seating Arrangements

Situation Manual Situation Manual• Exercise Schedule• Introduction• Module 1:Pandemic Outbreak

Overseas• Module 2: Outbreak in the

U.S.• Module 3: Outbreak in LA

County Schools• Appendices

― Acronyms & Glossary of Terms― Toolkit Overview― The PSI & Student Dismissal/Social

Distancing FAQs― Pandemic Influenza & COI

Resources― Presentations and Notes Pages

Feedback Form Feedback Form

•Broken down by Exercise Section/Module

– Record Notes, Thoughts, Issues, Strengths, Recommendations

•Complete throughout exercise

– Be thorough

•Turn in at the conclusion of the exercise

Exercise ScheduleExercise Schedule

8:00 am – Welcome and Introduction 8:20 am – Presentation

Presentation Name

8:50 am – PresentationPresentation Name

9:10 am – PresentationPresentation Name

9:30 am – Break 9:40 am – Module 1: Pandemic Outbreak Overseas10:20 am – Module 2: Outbreak in the U.S.11:05 am – Module 3: Reported Cases within LA

County Schools11:50 am – Evaluations and Closing Remarks

A detailed agenda can be found under the “Exercise Schedule” tab.

Exercise Program Overview

Exercise Program Overview

1. Facilitate partnerships, communication and coordination between schools, school districts and LACDPH; and

2. To increase awareness of the issues regarding planning for and responding to an influenza pandemic or other public health emergency.

Please turn to page 5 in your SITMAN

The Schools’ Pandemic Influenza and Public Health Emergency Exercise Program is sponsored by LACDPH and is being conducted to:

Exercise ScopeExercise Scope

• This exercise will focus on the roles of LACDPH, LACOE and individual schools in mitigating, preparing for, and responding to, a potential influenza pandemic or other infectious disease outbreak.


Exercise PurposeExercise Purpose


• The purpose of this exercise is to provide participants an opportunity to assess current capabilities for an influenza pandemic or other public health emergency in Los Angeles County.

• The exercise will focus on the policies and procedures that guide public health, schools and LACOE in command and control coordination, critical decisions, notifications, and the integration of external assets necessary to save lives and protect public health and safety.

• The role of public information strategies will also be critical to the overall response effort.

GoalGoal

To provide relevant, timely and useful information to school districts in Los Angeles County to enhance schools’ ability to mitigate, prepare for, and

respond to an influenza pandemic or other public health emergency.


ObjectivesObjectives

• Familiarize participants with the specific roles, responsibilities and capabilities of LACDPH and LACOE in managing the response to an influenza pandemic or other public health emergency.

• Discuss the issues, concerns and impact regarding potential social distancing measures and school closure/distance learning strategies. Please turn to page 8 in your

SITMAN

Objectives (cont.)Objectives (cont.)

• Present ideas, methodologies and materials regarding pandemic influenza and other public health emergencies to assist schools in educating children, parents, teachers, support staff, and administrators.


Evaluation & Adjournment

Facilitated Feedback

Presentations

Exercise StructureExercise Structure

Scenario & Discussion

gimme a break!

•Purpose– The purpose of the Schools’ Toolkit is

to assist schools and school districts in Los Angeles County to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from an influenza pandemic or other public health emergency.

– Structure & Layout•Master•Administrator Toolkit

Note: Toolkit provided via CD-ROM in your SITMAN.

Schools’ ToolkitSchools’ Toolkit

• Parent & Staff Letters • Disease Catalogue that provides approved

language for a number of public health diseases of concern to schools, such as pandemic influenza and MRSA

• FAQs for each disease in the Catalogue• COOP information• Informational Posters• PowerPoint Presentations• NIMS/ICS resources• Annotated index describing the Toolkit

elements • Introduction that explains how to use the

Toolkit

Schools’ ToolkitSchools’ Toolkit

Participants respond to the situation presented based on expert knowledge of plans and procedures.

Observers support the discussion groups as they develop responses to the situation in the caucus sessions.

Facilitators provide situation updates and moderate discussions.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Scenario is based upon a pandemic influenza outbreak; but the exercise takes an all-hazards approach.

• Scenario time period: September 2008 and continues through March 2009.

• Scenario is plausible and events occur as presented.

• Use existing plans, policies, procedures.

Assumptions/ArtificialitiesAssumptions/Artificialities

Ground RulesGround RulesExercise Ground Rules

1. This is a safe, open environment. 2. there is no “textbook” solution. 3. Keep the goals and objectives in mind. 4. Treat the scenario as real.5. Play your role. 6. Participate openly. 7. respect the observations, opinions and

perspectives of others. 8. This is an opportunity to discuss and present

multiple options and possible solutions.9. Ask questions, share thoughts, offer solutions. 10.Stay focused.

Exercise Ground Rules

1. This is a safe, open environment. 2. there is no “textbook” solution. 3. Keep the goals and objectives in mind. 4. Treat the scenario as real.5. Play your role. 6. Participate openly. 7. respect the observations, opinions and

perspectives of others. 8. This is an opportunity to discuss and present

multiple options and possible solutions.9. Ask questions, share thoughts, offer solutions. 10.Stay focused.

BackgroundBackground

• Pandemics occur cyclically:– 3 in the 20th Century– Experts agree: We are

long overdue• Bird/Avian Flu (H5N1)

incited global concern in recent years.– 1997 Hong Kong

Outbreak (6 deaths)• WHO Alert Phase 3

since November 2005.

BackgroundBackground

• Schools are potential sites for the spread of disease, including influenza.

• Schools are an information source for community residents.

• Schools are sources of valuable resources for emergency response.

• Schools are sources of health monitoring information.

September 2008September 2008

• Chain of infection began with a 37-year old woman exposed to dead poultry & chicken feces.

• She passed the virus to her 10-year old nephew who then passed it on to his father.

• Human-to-human transmission of avian influenza – 8 cases total.• Viral cultures

collected are identified as type AH7N1, a subtype never before isolated in humans.

September/October 2008


• A containment strategy was implemented, however, several additional cases were reported.

• The WHO solicits Tamiflu donations, while the CDC begins work on a reference strain for vaccine.

• Riots begin to occur in major cities throughout Southeast Asia.



• Additional outbreaks are confirmed throughout Southeast Asia at an average attack rate of 30%.

• The novel influenza virus begins to make headlines worldwide and becomes the lead story on major U.S. new networks and newspapers.

• WHO investigations indicate extensive person to person transmission and multiple strains.

October 2008October 2008• In the U.S., pre-pandemic vaccine and antiviral

stockpiles are deployed as supplies allow. • The WHO notifies the CDC and other national

health agencies of the progress of the pandemic.

• LACDPH coordinates with school districts to review pandemic guidance documents.

• LACOE Superintendent schedules an impromptu conference call to discuss preparedness measures.

Reported Cases of Pandemic Influenza, as of November, 2008:

CasualtiesCasualties

Worldwide

1,090 436 381

U.S.

0 0 0

Breakout Group Session

Breakout Group Session

• You have 25 minutes to discuss the questions.

• Select a spokesperson.• Your facilitator will let you

know which questions to focus on.

• Identify: ―Additional Questions―Critical Issues―Decisions to be addressed

• Record notes on the Evaluation & Feedback Form.―Focus on Strengths & Areas

for Improvement• Use the information available

& make the best decision possible.

November/December 08

November/December 08

• The WHO recommends that each country implement its pandemic plan.

• Meanwhile, influenza continues to spread throughout Southeast Asia.

• An unusually severe influenza cluster is identified in 5 individuals living in Miami, FL.

• More cases identified in Europe, Africa, and Canada.

December 08/January 09

December 08/January 09

• CDC confirms the pandemic strain in Miami.

• Several U.S. cities and transportation hubs begin to report cases; reaching as far west as Texas.

• The local press contacts LACOE for a statement.• Discussions take place at the Federal and State levels with unions and professional associations of educators, administrators & school boards regarding the unfolding events.

• LACOE maintains a proactive posture.

Reported Cases of Pandemic Influenza, as of January, 2009:


Worldwide

183,750,041 61,250,035 5,145,006

U.S.

10,375,082 1,125,006 241,509

Los Angeles County

0 0 0

Discussion SessionDiscussion Session








February 2009February 2009

• Pandemic influenza is confirmed in CA, with over a dozen confirmed cases within Los Angeles County schools.

• A Public Health Emergency is proclaimed by the LAC Health Officer.

February 2009February 2009•Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) are

activated at the State and local levels. •Order to dismiss students from all

schools is issued.

• Staff will continue to be paid under the disaster proclamation.

February 2009February 2009• The State issues the following guidance

–―Individual services may be reduced or discontinued.―Meals, school projects/assignments and phone

tutoring may be modified.―Delivery of health-social service programs should

be re-evaluated.―Continuing learning methodologies should be

evaluated for implementation.

• School superintendents are working with school districts and health officials to facilitate coordination.

March 2009March 2009

• 2% of Americans infected with H7N1 die.• Hospitals are overwhelmed and staff shortages

limited capacity at the height of the outbreak.• Parents appeal to the media regarding their

growing concerns of child safety once schools reopen.

• Rumors and misinformation are abundant among several internet sources frequented by students, such as MySpace and Facebook.

Reported Cases of Pandemic Influenza, as of March, 2009:


Worldwide

551,250,041 183,750,041 15,435,006

U.S.

31,125,082 3,375,021 724,560

Los Angeles County

95,172 10,575 2,220

Discussion SessionDiscussion Session








• Lists strengths and makes actionable recommendations for improvement

• Data collected via Evaluation Documents and Evaluators

• Provided to exercise planning team for revision and approval

• Contact lead agencies to obtain a copy

After-Action ReportAfter-Action Report

Feedback FormFeedback Form

Remember to Record:• Notes• Thoughts• Issues• Strengths• Recommendations

Please remember to turn in:Please remember to turn in:

• Feedback & Evaluation Forms

• Post-Exercise Survey

Schools Pandemic Influenza & Public Health Emergency Exercise Program A part of the LACOE Series...

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