Disaster and exercise performance information collection tool: Capturing observations in four minutes or less
Abstract
The objectives of the work described in this paper were to: (a) identify existing gaps in data collection, processing and dissemination across all types of emergencies; (b) build a tool that permits documentation, manipulation and propagation of relevant observations in emergency preparedness exercises or real-world incidents to inform critical decision makers in real time and to facilitate the elaboration of lessons learned, best practices and pioneering strategies for the management of future disasters; (c) validate the efficacy of the tool for collecting, processing and disseminating disaster-related information, through its integration in a series of exercises. The disaster and exercise performance information collection tool (DEPICT) was developed to address needs identified via the analysis of survey responses provided by representatives of military and civilian organisations with disaster response experience. Consensus discussions were held to identify criteria and operational parameters for the tool. As the development of DEPICT progressed, feedback and recommendations for improvements were provided to the developers, who incorporated the recommendations in successive iterations, resulting in increased refinements of the tool. DEPICT was subsequently tested for feasibility through operations-based exercises centred on catastrophic earthquakes in three diverse geographic locations of the USA. Feedback regarding DEPICT’s functional performance during the exercises was used to inform further refinements to the program. The authors developed the DEPICT software on a PHP platform to accomplish two goals: (1) offer a core that supports user interaction and data management requirements (eg data capture, transmission and storage); (2) present a user-friendly interface with a shallow learning curve to facilitate a better user experience. DEPICT is a user-friendly, web-based application that is accessible through various mobile web-enabled devices. The application allows responders, emergency planners and exercise evaluators to capture written and photographic field observations, on average, in four minutes or less per observation. These observations may be further processed or formatted offsite by analysts, prior to their submission for final exercise performance evaluation. Ultimately, the data form the basis of after-action reports, which, in turn, underpin future decision making and improved disaster response practices.
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Author's Biography
Richard Smith is a Senior Associate at the Yale New Haven Health System’s Center for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response (YNHHS-CEPDR). In his role at YNHHS-CEPDR, Mr Smith has developed and implemented assessments, planning templates, and trainings for the Rhode Island Senior Resiliency Project. Mr Smith has served as the primary Subject Matter Expert for the project, especially in phases 1 and 2. Mr Smith has been involved in preparedness, response and recovery at YNHHS-CEPDR for over 8 years and prior to joining the organization Mr Smith was involved in Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts in southeast Louisiana for roughly 3 years.
Joseph Albanese received his PhD from McGill University, Department of Medicine, in 1998. Currently, Dr. Albanese serves as the Radiation Biodosimetrist for the Yale New Haven Health System Center for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response (YNHHS-CEPDR) and the State of Connecticut. Joseph is an experienced research investigator who holds an appointment at Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Therapeutic Radiology.
Elaine Forte is the Deputy Director of Operations for the Yale New Haven Center for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response. She has more than 25 years of project management experience, including evaluation, development and implementation of IT systems; laboratory facility design; and development and delivery of emergency preparedness education and training and surge capacity initiatives. Ms Forte provides administrative direction for the statewide Emergency System for the Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals programme, the New England Partnership for Healthcare Emergency Response Education and Training and the National Alliance for Training HealthCare for Emergency Response. Ms Forte also directs activities undertaken by the National Center for Integrated Civilian-Military Domestic Disaster Medical Response. Ms Forte is a member of both the American Association of Clinical Chemistry and the Clinical Laboratory Management Association.
James Paturas is the Deputy Director for the Yale New Haven Center for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response, with over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. He is also Associate Director for the International Collaborating Center for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response. As the Director of Ambulatory Development and Emergency Medical Services for Bridgeport Hospital for over 20 years, he served as the chairman of the hospital’s emergency management committee. He is the Past President of the American College of Contingency Planners and Past President of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians. Mr Paturas currently serves on the editorial advisory boards of the Journal of Business Continuity & Emergency Planning and Inside Homeland Security. He is also a Certified Emergency Manager and Fellow of the American College of Contingency Planners.
Citation
Smith, Stewart D., Smith, Richard, Albanese, Joseph, Forte, Elaine, Paturas, James, Halstead, William and Tomassoni, Anthony (2013, January 1). Disaster and exercise performance information collection tool: Capturing observations in four minutes or less. In the Journal of Business Continuity & Emergency Planning, Volume 6, Issue 2. https://doi.org/10.69554/HAHW4133.
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