183607 Learning to Swim: A Large Dam Breach & Incident Command System (ICS) Exercise for Masters and Doctoral Public Health Students

Monday, October 27, 2008

Eric N. Gebbie, MA, MIA , Illinois Public Health Preparedness Center, University of Illinois, Chicago, Chicago, IL
Lindsay N. Benson, MPH , Center for Public Health Preparedness, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY
Mary Applegate, MD MPH , School of Public Health, University at Albany, SUNY, Rensselaer, NY
Irina Khmelnitsky, MS , New York State Preventive Medicine Residency/DrPH, University at Albany (SUNY) School of Public Health, Rensselaer, NY
Cheryl Reeves, MS, MLS , Continuing Education, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY
Colleen Signer , Center for Public Health Preparedness, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY
Edward C. Waltz, PhD , Center for Public Health Preparedness, University at Albany School of Public Health, Rensselaer, NY
Mark Hammer, MS , Center for Public Health Preparedness, University at Albany School of Public Health, Rensselaer, NY
Samantha Orellana , Center for Public Health Preparedness, University at Albany School of Public Health, Rensselaer, NY
Over 100 students, faculty, staff, and community partners participated in the University at Albany School of Public Health's first full-scale emergency response exercise titled “Learning to Swim: Dam Breach & Incident Command System Exercise for School of Public Health Students”. The goal was to provide students with an opportunity to practice the skills that are now required of all public health professionals, such as communications, management, and decision-making The disaster scenario used for the exercise included a dam breach and release of billions of gallons of water affecting communities down stream. Participating first year MPH students filled emergency response roles organized within the Incident Command System. Their main tasks were to prepare the school to act as a shelter and reception center, operate a hotline, brief the news media, in addition to other service and support activities. DrPH and preventive medicine residents participated in the exercise by filling key supervisory roles and planning the tabletop exercise. In addition to School of public health students, community volunteers, community public health partners, student actors, and colleagues from the network of Centers for Public Health Preparedness also volunteered. Overall the students found the exercise both informative and requiring much effort. The exercise design and evaluation team learned many lessons about designing, operating and potentially for institutionalizing such exercises in schools of public health.

Learning Objectives:
Describe an exercise which allows graduate students to practice the Incident Command System (ICS) during a public health emergency. List three recommendations for running a large exercise in a graduate school setting. Recognize the benefits of incorporating emergency exercises in a graduate public health curriculum.

Keywords: Disasters, Workforce

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Graduate study and field work in emergency response and preparedness. Approx. 8 years developing and conducting training and exercises for public health workers.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.