Minnesota Department of Health Multi-Agency Coordination Autumn 2006 Office of Emergency Preparedness

MDH Disclaimer This Multi-Agency Coordination (MAC) Power Point is intended to describe the Minnesota Department of Health approach to Multi-Agency Coordination. It is not intended to serve as a plan for all state and local entities, nor is it intended to be directly applicable to all incidents. This plan describes MDHs approach to multi-agency coordination in response to a health-related incident. Other agencies are encouraged to seek guidance in planning for the differences and requirements presented in each type of incident and develop similar plans for Multi-Agency Coordination for the applicable discipline/area of responsibility.

Barriers to Effective Interagency Coordination Different policies & procedures among entities Different interagency/inter-facility organizational structure Lack of interagency/inter-facility communications, including frequencies and use of agreements

Barriers to Effective Interagency Coordination (cont.) Lack of valid, timely, and complete information from all available sources Differences in terminology for personnel, for assignments, and resources Little previous interagency/inter-facility training

Multi-Agency Coordination (MAC) Happens… At the scene of an incident At an Emergency Operations Center At an interjurisdictional or regional level At state and federal levels Internationally

Why Is MDH Using MAC? National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant NIMS provides a structure for MAC MAC fits into incident command structure MAC is coordination focus NOT command Supports region-wide planning

Who Staffs a Health MAC? Health Care Entity Representative Public Health Representative (state or local) Emergency Medical Services Representative Homeland Security & Emergency Management Representative

Traditional MAC Information Flow

HEALTH Information Flow when a Health MAC is Activated

A Health MAC System Can Be as simple as a teleconference Be formal and meet at a pre- designated facility Operate without EOCs open Be simple or complex; Determined by the incident

MAC Systems Have Access to Facility / Agency Representatives Facilities Equipment Procedures Information Systems Communication Systems All Integrated into a Common System

Primary Functions of a Health MAC System Information Coordination Recommend Use of Critical Resources Facilitate health-related support and resource tracking Coordinate inter-facility / interagency policies and strategies

When to Activate a Health MAC System Multiple concurrent health-related incidents Incidents that are non-site specific Incidents that are geographically dispersed Incidents that evolve over time

Who Activates a Health MAC System? Any agency or facility representative (RHRC, PHPC, EMSRB or EMS Regional Dir., HSEM Regional Program Coordinator) –When needs exceed available resources –Regional interagency/inter-facility need to coordinate health-related policies

MAC Committee Representatives RHRCs OEP staff EMS-Program Director & EMSRB PHPC HSEM Local Public Health

Product of MAC Committee Multi-Agency Coordination Plan Support Annex to the MDH All- Hazards Response & Recovery Plan Framework for regions to use to develop Regional MAC Annex

MDH MAC Plan is located g/allhazards.html

For more information, contact: Janice Maine, Public Health All-Hazards Planner