Large Incident Ambulance Staging Rio Grande Valley Staging Plan Daniel Ramirez EMTF-11 Coordinator Jorge Jalomo

Why are we here?

 Hurricane Dean (2007) First Deployment of assets with Strike Team Leaders 200 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. History Stressed 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 Manager Regional Medical Operations Center / Catastrophic Medical Operations Center State 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 1500 units Type 2250 units Type 3125 units Type 425 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 IT Dept, Ralph Cantu TranStarr ESM, Ester Salinas Elite EMS Tony Lopes Weslaco Fire Dept, Rudy Garza Weslaco Fire Dept, Jorge Jalomo DC Chief 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 the number of units that can be parked in a designated area Ensure adequate travel lanes 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