HICSi is an incident management system specifically designed to
aid hospitals and healthcare entities in developing and refining
their emergency management planning, response, and recovery
capabilities. HICS is consistent with Incident Command
System and the National Incident Management System (NIMS)
principles.
Wildfires, landslides and influenza surge are only some of the
incidents to hit California hospitals this past year. The
initial response to an emergency begins with recognition that an
incident may (or has) occurred.
In cases where the incident is likely to impact or disrupt
routine operations, and may require coordination of efforts and
response involvement among hospitals, Health Care Coalition
partners, EMS, public health, and environmental health.
Key management issues involving situational status, incident
characteristics and resource capabilities must be quickly
determined and communicated amongst response partners in order to
establish a common operating picture.
CHA’s Hospital Preparedness Program has developed a tool to help
hospitals activate their Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) in the
Hospital
Activation of the Emergency Operations Plan
Checklist with step-by-step instructions for activation
and Hospital Incident Command System (HICSi) roles.
California hospitals are a critical element within the disaster
medical response system and work collaboratively with local
government, other health care providers and other agencies to
plan, prepare for and respond to the needs of victims of natural
or man-made disasters, bioterrorism, and other public health
emergencies. Hospital emergency preparedness is a priority for
government at all levels, as well as a key focus of regulatory
and accrediting agencies.