1. TABLE – TOP EXERCISE Regional Faith Community Summit on Pandemic Preparedness and Response Marg Pollon, Bridges of Love Ministry May 15 th, 2008

2. UNFOLDING SITUATION Decisions & Responses Increasing number of outbreaks of Avian Influenza in Asian Countries Increasing number of outbreaks of Avian Influenza in Asian Countries Small clusters of humans infected in villages throughout Asia. Small clusters of humans infected in villages throughout Asia. High rates of mortality reported. High rates of mortality reported. Effecting mainly the young (10 – 19) Effecting mainly the young (10 – 19) Type A, H5N1 identified as the virus with no vaccine currently available Type A, H5N1 identified as the virus with no vaccine currently available

3. Alert posted for large Canadian hospitals at ports of entry to be on the alert for arriving passengers with severe respiratory illness. Alert posted for large Canadian hospitals at ports of entry to be on the alert for arriving passengers with severe respiratory illness. Influenza vaccine manufactures are placed on alert… Influenza vaccine manufactures are placed on alert… Influenza strain is becoming more virulent and human-to-human transmission is happening in Indonesia and China. Influenza strain is becoming more virulent and human-to-human transmission is happening in Indonesia and China. Who declares a Phase 5 (large clusters but still localized) Who declares a Phase 5 (large clusters but still localized)

4. Regional Health Centres placed on stand- by to take precautionary measures. Regional Health Centres placed on stand- by to take precautionary measures. All hospitals have been advised to monitor respiratory illnesses with extreme caution. All hospitals have been advised to monitor respiratory illnesses with extreme caution. Coastal ports (Vancouver) has an increase in cases of flu-like symptoms, but no known deaths. Coastal ports (Vancouver) has an increase in cases of flu-like symptoms, but no known deaths. BC and perhaps all of Canada on verge of a pandemic influenza. BC and perhaps all of Canada on verge of a pandemic influenza. Many questions and concern rising from all sectors of society. Many questions and concern rising from all sectors of society.

5. QUESTIONS Break into groups of 3 or 4 and prepare responses to the following questions on Page 4 of your hand- out. Break into groups of 3 or 4 and prepare responses to the following questions on Page 4 of your hand- out. Choose one person to be the spokesperson for the group when we reconvene in 10 minutes. Choose one person to be the spokesperson for the group when we reconvene in 10 minutes.

6. 1) Identify those services which could be adapted for a pandemic scenario?

7. 2)How could a communication ‘tree’ be implemented prior to pandemic?

8. 3) Who do you identify in your local community as those with a common interest and concern for Pandemic Planning?

9. 4. What changes would have to be made in the way your congregation operates to guard against further spread of infection?

10. a) Identify those services which are considered critical during a Pandemic?

11. b) Identify those services which are considered non-essential during a pandemic?

12. LATER DEVELOPMENTS: Decisions and Responses 10 times the volume of patients with flu- like symptoms. 10 times the volume of patients with flu- like symptoms. Five deaths from severe flu symptoms from individuals who recently returned from a flight from Shanghai. Five deaths from severe flu symptoms from individuals who recently returned from a flight from Shanghai. Staff shortages reported at local health departments… Staff shortages reported at local health departments… Health staff who are available to work report they are exhausted and need time to rest. Health staff who are available to work report they are exhausted and need time to rest.

13. Shortages of anti-virals as well as diminishing supplies, especially of ventilators, gloves, masks and lab supplies. Shortages of anti-virals as well as diminishing supplies, especially of ventilators, gloves, masks and lab supplies. Escalation in civil unrest Escalation in civil unrest Stock-piling of food, tempers rising, soap and water are in short supply. Stock-piling of food, tempers rising, soap and water are in short supply. Mass graves have been dug, funerals have been banned, so emotional pain is unbearable. Mass graves have been dug, funerals have been banned, so emotional pain is unbearable. Panic setting in as citizens are uncertain how to address the worsening and fearful situation. Panic setting in as citizens are uncertain how to address the worsening and fearful situation.

14. QUESTIONS Break into groups of 3 or 4 and prepare responses to the following questions on Page 4 of your hand- out. Break into groups of 3 or 4 and prepare responses to the following questions on Page 4 of your hand- out. Choose one person to be the spokesperson for the group when we reconvene in 10 minutes. Choose one person to be the spokesperson for the group when we reconvene in 10 minutes.

15. 1) What steps has your faith group taken to identify those in your community who might be at high-risk and will need extra attention? (Seniors, special needs, immigrants, homeless…)

16. 2) What strategies are in place for the members to cope with an increase in demands from the community in your area? (Financial, food, child care, pastoral care…)

17. 3) With a reduction in staffing, identify what functions will be curtailed/stopped and what resources/lay people are necessary to sustain remaining faith functions?

18. 4) Do you see a component in developing an enhanced level of individual community preparedness and developing structure which will allow for coordinated assistance to the established emergency management structures? Why?

19. DEBRIEFING AND SELF-EVALUATION (1 – 5 with 5 being the highest) THE IDEAL: All community partners involved in the process: THE IDEAL: All community partners involved in the process:  Set up a command structure within the community  Identified an agreed-on leader (coordinator)  Demonstrated the ability to effectively communicate with one another  Identified those at high-risk & vulnerable  Presented a unified response plan that was coordinated seamlessly across identified partners

20. DEBRIEFING AND SELF-EVALUATION (1 – 10 with 10 being the highest)  Coped and were prepared for the increased demand made by the community surrounding your faith facility  Identified transferrable skills (talents/training) within faith community members  Identified those services which were critical/essential and non-essential  Lay individuals trained and ready for action prior to pandemic out-break  Resources identified so duplication of efforts were kept to a minimum

21. ACTION PLAN DEVELOPMENT What are the biggest gaps or challenges in preparedness you see resulting from this exercise?What are the biggest gaps or challenges in preparedness you see resulting from this exercise? Which problem areas should be deemed highest priority?Which problem areas should be deemed highest priority? Identify three important gaps that could lend themselves to an action plan?Identify three important gaps that could lend themselves to an action plan? Outline a plan for how you might begin to make improvements to your response.Outline a plan for how you might begin to make improvements to your response. What initial steps can you take?What initial steps can you take? Can you identify a change agent for each of these steps?Can you identify a change agent for each of these steps? How can you reassess yourself to ensure that improvements have worked?How can you reassess yourself to ensure that improvements have worked?

22. THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING This is a learning exercise and thus there are many good and appropriate choices and answers to the situations presented. to the situations presented. We need to simply and concretely look out for and truly love our neighbours.

23. SPECIAL THANKS RAND Health Communications Table-top template http://rand.org/health/index.html