(PJ) This is an exercise

What you will be hearing for the next half hour is a simulated radio broadcast. Information regarding your office will be integrated into the broadcast, so we ask you to listen carefully as this will be a fast paced exercise. This line has all outside lines muted to ensure clarity. The other line is open for questions and comments at 800-406-9170 conference ID # 8863119432 and will remain open for an after action “hot wash” until 1:30 PM.

Today’s narrators will be: Dr. John Ogle, Dr. Brian Crawford, Anita Albrecht, Chet Seward and P.J. Havice. On the open, question and comment line we have Frankie Gales.  

 

(John) We now bring you: Operation Fire and Rain

The scenario is a warm day in May and the National Weather Service reports that a severe thunderstorm is imminent for the state. By noon the storm has moved into the state with reports of golf ball size hail, lightning and flooding in the low-lying areas. Storm cells that could produce tornados have been noted all across the state.

 

Elevator music… thunder/ sirens in the background

 

Brian: (12:33) We now interrupt this broadcast to bring you a weather alert from the KCMS weather desk:  The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the state. Residents are asked to remain alert for rapidly changing conditions. Golf ball sized hail; lightning and extremely windy conditions exist across the state. Travel advisories are in effect for the entire state with power outages, flash flooding and poor road conditions.  

 

(Pause) Loud clap of thunder 

 

 Brian: (12:34 PM) The building across the street from your office has been struck by lightning and smoke is pouring out of the windows. 911 has been notified and crews are arriving on scene. There are a lot of people who work in that building; authorities fear that not everyone will get out. There has not been an evacuation order for the area; people are urged to stay indoors and away from windows. You have a waiting room full of patients. Please discuss and begin taking appropriate actions.

 

Music

 

 PJ: (12:38 PM): Your waiting room still has some patients and one of your new patients requires a level of care not usually provided by your office due to a sudden onset grand mal seizure with hypoxia and tachycardia. EMS has been called but you’ve been told that all available ambulances are transporting critical survivors from the scene of a multi vehicle accident on the highway nearest your office and from the building across the street.

All available staff are assisting with your patients or trying to maintain order in the waiting room. Waiting patients whose needs are not urgent are asked to please call back tomorrow to reschedule, leaving five patients waiting. All staff, please discuss your next actions.

 

Music…

 

PJ (12:42 PM) Is anxiety and worry keeping you up at night? Do you suffer from “what if” syndrome and worry about the future of your practice if a disaster occurs? Havaplan DX – the new, prescription, all- purpose emergency operations plan from pseudo- pharmaceuticals may be the answer to those late night worries. Side effects may include: peaceful sleep, serenity and smiling. See your Dr. if the smile last longer than four hours. Isn’t it time you had a really good plan for your office? Ask your Dr. if Havaplan is right for you.

 

John (12:43 PM) This is Rocky Weatherfield from the KCMS News team on scene of a 15 car accident on The Slippery Slope Highway. Weather related problems have created a gridlock with serious consequences for commuters.  Both sides of the highway are at a standstill; alternate routes are advised. Several of the motorists in this pileup are trapped inside of their vehicles and those who have managed to escape are assisting others. One of the vehicles in the accident is a school bus carrying children returning from the State spelling bee and bull riding competition. Most injuries appear to be minor, but KCMS has been told by authorities that there have been at least three fatalities from this accident. Rescuers are arriving on-scene to assist and try to free those trapped in the accident. Weather conditions continue to deteriorate, making rescue efforts a desperate challenge. Hospitals and clinics in and around the area have seen a surge of people needing medical care and all available staff who are not working have been asked to report back to their facility. We’ll continue to bring you live up to the minute coverage from the KCMS News first team.

 

Tones…

 

PJ: (12:45 PM) One of your staff has asked to go home to pick up their children from school due to the school closing. No other family members are available to pick-up the children.  A small group of walking wounded from the damaged building next-door has come into your office seeking medical care. Questions: Can the staff member be excused to go? Who will take care of their duties if they go?  What do you say to the injured people who just walked in?

 

Elevator music sirens/ thunder…

 

Brian (12:47 PM) Brenda Starr is at the CMS news desk with a live interview with the Sherriff of your town, Brenda?

 

Anita: (12:46 PM) We’re here with Sherriff Bubba Gump. Sherriff, The weather is certainly causing problems today, what advice do you have for people in your town?

 

Chet:  (12:46 PM) Well, I’d advise em to stay put till this storm rolls on outta here. We got emergencies all over town and all of our emergency responders are out there fixin things and helpin people. I was at a meetin at city hall when the storm blew in, darn near spilt my coffee getting out of there. We’ve got a heap o trouble, but we’ve got emergency plans to see us through.

 

Anita (12:47 PM) The city has instituted cold-weather reporting and the Medical Reserve Corps has been activated. All available MRC volunteers have been activated and are requested to report to the Metro Fire Station for assignment to assist with this unfortunate situation.

 

John (12:48 PM): The fire across the street continues to burn, smoke is in the air and beginning to come through the vents in your building.  While no evacuation order has been issued, your office decides to close the practice for safety reasons. Questions: How do you close down mid-day on a busy day? (pause) What do you take with you? (pause) Who do you notify? (pause) What do you do with the waiting patients?

 

Music…

 

Brian (12:50 PM) The National Weather Service has issued a severe weather warning for the entire state. Heavy rain, thunderstorms with lightning and hail and strong winds are occurring across the state causing power outages, mud and rock slides and flooding. I’m meteorologist Les Rainwater reminding you to stay tuned for further news updates from the KCMS news desk where we are keeping you informed and on edge.

 

Music…

 

 John (12:55 PM): The wind has shifted and the fire has begun to spread due to high winds. The fire department will be issuing an evacuation order for your facility effective immediately. Questions: Who ensures that everyone is out of your building? (pause) Who is in charge of the evacuation of your office? (pause) How long does it take to get everyone out? (pause) At this time we ask that your entire staff physically leave the building and anyone with a camera is asked to take a picture of the staff outside the building. Please return to your building after taking the picture.

 

Brian (1:00 PM): A torrential downpour of rain helps extinguish the fire. Miraculously, your office was spared from the fire; however there is substantial smoke damage. The roof has leaked and damaged your electronic equipment including computers and the paper files are wet. You will be unable to open back up for business for at least one week. This concludes the Fire and Rain exercise. Please ensure that all staff completes the zoomerang survey on the CMS disaster preparedness website. Thank you for participating... Now, if you will all please join us for the after action discussion on the other line at 800-406-9170 conference ID # 8863119432 (repeat the numbers) From the KCMS news desk we wish you a pleasant rest of your day. This call will now disconnect, Thank you.

 

This was an exercise