Executive Summary: Mission “Operation Morning Star”

Executive Summary: Mission “Operation Morning Star”
2013
Mission
“Operation Morning Star”
May 4, 2013
DEEP EAST TEXAS REGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL (DETRAC)
SOUTHEAST TEXAS REGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL (SETRAC)
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TASK FORCE – 6
Prepared by: Janay Gilbert, CRT, ASAH, BSHA
Executive Summary: Mission “Operation Morning Star”
2013
COLLABORATING PARTNERS
Atascocita EMS
Baystar EMS – 2 units
City of Woodville
City of Woodville Police Department
Crosby EMS
Deep East Texas Regional Advisory Council – DETRAC
Dogwood EMS
Emergency Medical Task Force 6 – EMTF6
Harris County EMS
Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council – SETRAC
Tyler County Emergency Manager – Dale Freeman
Tyler County Hospital
Tyler County Sheriff Department
Prepared by: Janay Gilbert, CRT, ASAH, BSHA
Executive Summary: Mission “Operation Morning Star”
2013
MISSION
“OPERATION MORNING STAR”
On the morning of May 2, 2013, Sondra Wilson, Vice-Chair for the Deep
East Texas Regional Advisory Council (DETRAC) and Tyler County Hospital
Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), began communications with Darrell Pile, CEO of
the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council (SETRAC), regarding the
possibility of needing assistance on Saturday, May 4, 2013, in the event that
Woodville native Kree Harrison advanced into the top three on American Idol.
Scott Christopher, DETRAC Chair as well as Byron Stowe, DETRAC Treasurer,
Dogwood EMS Owner, and Woodville City Councilman were included in the
initial communication. While DETRAC, Tyler County Hospital, and Tyler County
law enforcement and EMS are experienced in handling crowds up to 6,000 this
event held the possibility of an excess of 10,000 people. Therefore, it was agreed
that additional resources may be needed in the Woodville area if Kree did advance.
Darrell Pile responded to the communication willingly offering the assistance of
SETRAC/EMTF-6 resources including a small command/communication trailer,
medical station and additional ambulances. It was on this same day that Mission
Operation Morning Star was created. Tyler County Emergency Manager, Dale
Prepared by: Janay Gilbert, CRT, ASAH, BSHA
Executive Summary: Mission “Operation Morning Star”
2013
Freeman was notified by Sondra Wilson of the mission and plans. He then notified
the Disaster District Committee (DDC). Early on it was the goal of DETRAC to
be prepared for whatever the event may bring.
After receiving confirmation that Kree had made it into the top three and
would be returning to Woodville on Saturday, details for Mission “Operation
Morning Star” were put into motion. Emergency Management Task Force
(EMTF) – 6 would be deployed to the
Woodville area on Saturday morning led by
Lori Upton, RN and Disaster Preparedness
Director from SETRAC. This would include
four ambulances, a small
communications/command trailer with attached four bed first aid station, supplies,
cots, and radios as well as aid tent staffing to include three paramedics and one
RN, command staff, and tracking system if necessary. Air Rescue based out of
Beaumont, Texas agreed to be on stand-by at Tyler County Hospital for
emergencies that required higher levels of care.
At 0730 on the morning of May 4,
2013 the EMTF-6 crew and resources arrived
at Tyler County Hospital. A briefing was
Prepared by: Janay Gilbert, CRT, ASAH, BSHA
Executive Summary: Mission “Operation Morning Star”
2013
held in the conference room of the hospital to review the itinerary for the day and
make assignments. It was known at this time that a press conference would take
place at 8:00 a.m., followed by a parade at 10:00 a.m., rodeo appearance at 1:30
p.m. and a concert at Ford Arena in Beaumont,
Texas at 5:00 p.m. After consulting with Woodville
city manager Mandy Risinger, it was decided that
the medical tent would be set-up down town during
the parade and then be moved to the rodeo arena for that event. Along with the
medical tent, three of the five ambulances present would be based at these
locations. The remaining two ambulances would be based at Tyler County
Hospital. This would allow Dogwood EMS to run their normal 911 traffic.
Additionally, Air Rescue would be based at Tyler County Hospital along with two
hospital employee’s who would communicate with command on the status of the
hospital. Communication radios were dispersed to personnel to ensure clear and
concise
communication.
Prepared by: Janay Gilbert, CRT, ASAH, BSHA
Executive Summary: Mission “Operation Morning Star”
2013
After the briefing, workers dispersed to their
assigned areas with the medical tent and crew
arriving
down- town at approximately 8:30 a.m. to
begin set-up. It took 30 minutes to set-up
the communication trailer and the attached
medical tent.
The Incident Command System was used to integrate all resources and
personnel. This system allowed for common
understanding of the event as well as fluent
response, communication, and organization.
The Incident Commander for Mission
Operation Morning Star was Byron Stowe from
Dogwood EMS.
The Deputy Incident Commander was Sondra
Wilson with Lori Upton being responsible for the
medical operations. Scott Christopher oversaw
Prepared by: Janay Gilbert, CRT, ASAH, BSHA
Executive Summary: Mission “Operation Morning Star”
2013
logistics, Jimmy Blanchard, Communication leader, was over planning, and Chris
Collier, EMS and task force leader was in charge of EMS.
Another key compnenet in Mission “Operation
Morning Star” was Tyler County law enforcement.
This began with early communication with Sondra
Wilson regarding the health and safety of the
community. Sheriff Weatherford and Woodville City
Police Chief Scott Yosko along with city and county
officers
cleared the
roads so that the medical team could get to
the staging areas and set-up. Terry Riley,
reserved deputy, being familiar with the
rodeo grounds, made suggestion on the best
place for medical set-up. Corporal Michael Williams provided the out-of-town
ambulance crews with 911 address books and maps.
Prepared by: Janay Gilbert, CRT, ASAH, BSHA
Executive Summary: Mission “Operation Morning Star”
2013
The morning event was successful with only one victim
being seen by the medical team and being transported to Tyler
County Hospital by private car. The communication set-up
allowed Tyler County Hospital to be aware of an incoming
injury and to prepare for the individual. After the conclusion of
the parade the medical, command, and communication team
was able to
disassemble the
medical tent in
15
minutes.
With law enforcements help,
the team relocated to the rodeo
arena where the medical tent was once again set-up, this time taking only 20
minutes to be fully operational. There were two ambulances located within the
rodeo grounds to assist the medical team.
Additionally, the remaining ambulances as
well as Air Rescue were staged at the airport
just across the road.
Prepared by: Janay Gilbert, CRT, ASAH, BSHA
Executive Summary: Mission “Operation Morning Star”
2013
The rodeo event lasted a few hours
without incident. At the conclusion of
the rodeo, the medical tent was once
again disassembled effortlessly and the
team departed at approximately 3:30
p.m.
It is the belief of the DETRAC, SETRAC, EMTF-6, and Tyler County Law
Enforcement and EMS that this event proved successful in that it allowed
opportunities for team building. The mission gave those involved a chance to see
the available resources, to identify them, and to become knowledgeable in how
Prepared by: Janay Gilbert, CRT, ASAH, BSHA
Executive Summary: Mission “Operation Morning Star”
2013
they can be used. Additionally, relationships were built between DETRAC and
SETRAC that will prove beneficial in the future.
Prepared by: Janay Gilbert, CRT, ASAH, BSHA
Executive Summary: Mission “Operation Morning Star”
2013
After Action Report
Overall the event was a success. However, the team did identify two areas
of concern.
1.) There was one communication radio located at the hospital staging area
that failed to work properly.
2.) Traffic around the medical tent in the downtown location failed to be
closed off.
While both of these situations could have resulted in greater issues, they are noted
for this event and will be considered for future events.
Prepared by: Janay Gilbert, CRT, ASAH, BSHA