Welcome to Lutheran Hospital of Indiana

Primary Agencies

Ft. Wayne-Allen County Department of Health
The Health Commissioner of the FWAC DOH is charged with the coordination of all health and medical services needed following a disaster. The Health Commissioner will also ensure that the FWAC DOH is ready at all times to perform the functions required by both the State and local ESF #8.

Planning: Prior to the occurrence of a disaster, create and coordinate plans to assure that an adequate and effective public health and medical service network will be available during periods of disaster or emergency.

1. The lead agency, in coordination with support agencies, will ensure that MMRS has reviewed the 15 national planning scenarios (DHS) and developed relevant public health-related plans based on Allen County needs.

2. The lead agency, in coordination with support agencies, will ensure that the responsible entities have an emergency response plan and/or SOPs to address the actions they are required to perform during emergencies and disasters within Allen County. EOPs and SOPs should cover how all responsible agencies will lead or support the tasks such as public health/medical needs (including behavioral health), public health surveillance, medical care personnel, and medical equipment and supplies.

EOPS and SOPs may cover medical emergencies, pandemics, evacuations (for hospitals, nursing home, assisted and independent living facilities), quarantines, triage, decontamination, emergency personnel actions, etc.

Local EOPs and resource manuals should describe the following medical resources in their jurisdictions: nursing homes, hospitals, emergency medical squads, ambulance services, morgue locations and mutual aid agreements for EMS and public health needs.

Create documents and train relevant personnel on procedures to request help from State and Federal agencies and the Strategic National Stockpile (and establish SOPs on how to distribute the Strategic National Stockpile if requested).

3. Train relevant personnel on the Incident Command System, responses to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive disasters or emergencies.

4. Along with MMRS, assist in obtaining the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (protective respiratory devices, clothing, equipment, and antidotes) for personnel that may have to respond to a hazardous materials incident.

5. The lead agency, in coordination with support agencies, will create and maintain an inventory list of regular hospital beds, ICU beds, ventilators, and nebulizers.

6. Assess the capacity of Allen County hospitals to respond to emergencies. Aid them in planning for various emergencies, personnel or equipment shortages, training, etc.

7. Establish and encourage the adoption of a uniform emergency incident command system by all hospitals, better enabling personnel to assist in any facility.

8. Develop the need for mutual aid agreements and memorandums of understanding with other agencies and departments and coordinate the development of the agreements through FWAC OHS.

9. Develop policies on how to utilize volunteers in an emergency or disaster. Develop and utilize the Medical Reserve Corps.

10. Plan and implement first aid station sites.

Response: During the disaster, lead and coordinate all public health and medical activities at the department EOC and at the local EOC. The Ft. Wayne-Allen County Health Department will also conduct and/or coordinate all actions that may include:

1. Set up department EOC and send liaisons to the local EOC.

2. Provide an assessment of the health and medical needs. This includes health/medical needs (including behavioral health), public health surveillance, medical care personnel, and medical equipment and supplies

3. Monitor for high risk infectious diseases.

4. Monitor the availability and utilization of health systems' assets.

5. Send out field health care workers and monitor their work and findings. Plan and coordinate to provide relief personnel for health workers.

6. Provide medical treatment and support to disaster victims, response personnel and the general public (send in emergency medical services, triage, temporary aid stations, etc.). Provide special needs evacuations or care which may require advising area nursing homes and adult living facilities to initiate response plan related to relocating residents.

7. Prevent and control the spread of disease (dispense meds and vaccinate the public).

8. Coordinate hospital services (understand what hospitals have and recognize the potential need to relocate hospitals or medical services).

9. Provide frequent updates to the Emergency Operations Center as to the status of Public Health. Advise public works and utilities on health issues during assessments and cleanup.

10. Protect the public from contaminated foods and drugs in conjunction with the FDA and the IDSH (create and maintain inspection teams for shelters, food distribution sites, etc.)

11. Provide nutrition consultation services as they relate to special diets and medical needs.

12. Work with shelters (ESF #6 Mass Care, Housing, and Human Services).

The Allen County Department of Health will be notified by the FWAC Office of Homeland Security to commence acquisition of nurses, doctors, oxygen cylinders and other supplies to support shelter operations.

Provide teams to ensure the water and food is stored and distributed safely.

13. Collaborate with city, county and private (including ESF #6 Mass Care, Housing, and Human Services and #3 Public Works and Engineering) potable water systems in the restoration of safe drinking water supply.

14. Collaborate with Allen County Coroner to provide disposition of the dead.

Set up casualty collection points

Collaborate with law enforcement officers in the release of human remains to the Allen County Medical Examiner for identification and disposal and assisting as needed

Develop a system to provide death certificates in a timely manner

15. Local health districts must notify ISDH of the status of the local health emergencies and the need for assistance.

16. Coordinate with ESF #2 Communications and ESF #15 External Affairs to disseminate information to the public concerning potential and existing health hazards.

17. Provide general medical information for disaster victims in conjunction with ESF #2 Communications and #15 External Affairs.

18. Provide emergency social service assistance for prescription medicines to those in need. Coordinate support from other social service agencies to provide needed assistance.

19. Provide crisis counseling. Activate the FWAC DOH Behavioral Health Protocol.

20. Responsible for coordinating burial of victims.

Recovery: After the immediate response is completed, the FWAC DOH leads and coordinates the recovery effort for the public health and medical services. This may include

1. Coordinate with ESF #3 Public Works and Engineering to ensure the availability of potable water, an effective sewage system and sanitary garbage disposal.

2. Inspect purity and usability of all foodstuffs, water, pharmaceuticals, and other consumables that were exposed to the hazard.

3. Coordinate the inspection of damaged buildings in search of health hazards.

4. Coordinate with ESF #11 Agriculture and Natural Resources in the disposition of dead animals.

5. Coordinate operations for immunizations or quarantine procedures, if necessary.

6. Identify mental health needs of those affected by or responding to the disaster.

7. Phase down operations to include a return to normal shifts and hours.

8. Repair, replace, and maintain equipment as conditions permit.

9. Release personnel and equipment acquired under mutual aid agreements.

10. Recommends release/termination-of-use of local resources when they are no longer required and maintains a record for audit of all public health and medical support provided.

11. Provide after-action reports.

12. Responsible for coordinating burial of victims.

US Patent Numbers 7,720,998 B2, 7,836,207