Emergency Preparedness

Appendix G – TRAINING/EXERCISE

Kern Medical Emergency Preparedness

Element of Performance The response phase of the emergency management plan is tested twice a year, either in response to an actual emergency or in planned drills. Testing includes For organizations that offer emergency services or are designated as disaster receiving stations, at least one drill yearly that includes an influx of volunteer or simulated individuals. Participation in at least one community-wide practice drill yearly (where applicable) relevant to the priority emergencies identified by the organization's hazard vulnerability analysis, that assesses communication, coordination, and the effectiveness of the organization's and community's command structures. FEMA defines a drill as having the following elements:

Single emergency response function Single agency involvement Often a field response component Field evaluators and messaging is critical

• • • •

• Limit focus to ensure program is thoroughly evaluated and improves

Drills are not graded for achievement. They are low-stress activities for demonstrating skills after formal training and/or demonstrations. Participants usually focus on a single activity of recovery or response to limit the time involved while increasing the value of the activity. Kern Medical drills might include:

Plan and Procedures Emergency Call Outs Emergency Operations Emergency Techniques Communications Evacuation (fire/flood/bomb threat)

• • • • • • • • • •

Bomb Threat Use of Forms EOC Activation Safety Operations

Exercises Exercises are evaluated activities that usually require some element of realism and varying levels of stress. The definitions of the types of exercises follows, as defined by FEMA.

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