Large Incident Ambulance StagingRio Grande Valley Staging Plan

Daniel Ramirez EMTF-11 CoordinatorJorge Jalomo

Why are we here?

Hurricane Dean (2007)First Deployment of assets with Strike Team Leaders200 Ambulances deployed for a Non-event

Hurricane Dolly (2008)25 EMS Units deployed to the Valley via ARCC Staging

Hurricane Gustav and Ike (2009)Largest deployment of Ambulances in U.S. HistoryStressed the importance of FORWARD STAGING capabilities and coordination

Ambulance Staging Managers

Deployable to Forward / Austere locations

Closer to affected jurisdictions

Utilizing the Ambulance Staging Matrix to plan staging operation

Provide tools to train personnel assigned to ambulance staging

Get a better understanding of the roles of ambulance staging during a disaster

Understanding how ambulance staging operations works alongside the overall response

Working with landowner / jurisdiction having authority over EMS units

Working with EOC / MACC / DDC / M-IST to coordinate logistical needs

Utilizing the ICS Chain of Command for reporting and resource requests

Working with several different bosses

Staging Area ManagerRegional Medical Operations Center / Catastrophic Medical Operations CenterState and Federal Oversight (USPHS, FEMA, DSHS)DPS Leadership / Local Law Enforcement / Local Elected Officials and Chief Officers

Reference the resource typing list for the specific needs for the amount of units you will be staging.

Type 1 500 unitsType 2 250 unitsType 3 125 unitsType 4 25 units

• Area Guidelines– Type IV: 22,600 square feet– Type III: 73,000 square feet– Type II: 136,000 square feet– Type I: 272,000 square feet

• Calculations– 12’ x 35’ / Vehicle– Six Vehicles per Strike Team– 10,000 sq ft for Ops Space– 20,000 sq ft for Ops in Type I

Operational Area Requirements

Step up meeting with local AMS’s to determine the need in our area

The Rio Grande Valley has had 19 Presidential Disaster Declarations

Distance to other major metropolitan areas 300 miles south of San Antonio

Number of potential patients that would need evacuation – over 20,000

Discuss the importance of planning and preparation in the design and layout of the Ambulance Staging Area.

Sergio Castro 9-1-1 IT Dept, Ralph Cantu TranStarr ESM, Ester Salinas Elite EMSTony Lopes Weslaco Fire Dept, Rudy Garza Weslaco Fire Dept, Jorge Jalomo DCChief Nim Kidd, Barbara Adams DSHS, Anselmo Trevino Med Care EMS

Find a location that will accommodate a TYPE 1 Staging

DODGE ARENA

Should be able to accommodate some resources inside

Always plan for the worse case

• Consider Locations of:– Staff Parking– Check-In– Check-Out– Maintenance– Fueling– Supply and Logistics Tents

Good Choices• College / University• Industrial Park• High School• Military Facility• Amusement Park• Large Church• Training Center• Truck Stop • Highway Comfort Station

Considerations

• Environmental Issues– Water Runoff / slope– Fuel Spill containment– Protection from Sun/Wind

Once you have selected a area and have the facilities permission, then began to draw a plan

The design of the parking area should maximize thenumber of units that can beparked in a designated area

Ensure adequate travellanes for one-way or two-way traffic…

Develop a TRAFFIC PLAN

Parking Area Design

Meet regularly to work on plan and make changes as needed

Finalize the plan, but remember its still a working document

Discuss the size and type of area required to accommodate Ambulance Staging Operations.

Utilize the “Matrix” to identify resource needs.

Identify locations in several smaller jurisdictions that could be utilized for Type IV, Type III, Type II and Type I Ambulance Staging Operations.

Discuss the importance of planning and preparation in the design and layout of the Ambulance Staging Area.

In Summary