Federal Ambulance Strike Team Operations Plan

Federal Ambulance Strike Team Operations Plan

Nassau County Emergency Operations Center

Regional Emergency Medical Services Council Liaison

Federal Ambulance Strike Team Operations Plan

Overview

• There are currently four ambulance strike teams (AST) deployed to Nassau County, with the deployment of a fifthin progress
• Each AST has a varied mix of basic (BLS) and advanced life support (ALS) ambulances
• Each AST has a crew of two

Command and Control

• Each AST has a Strike Team Leader, responsible for the team. The Strike Team Leader is a crew member on one of the ambulances.
• The ASTs are an asset assigned to the Nassau County Department of Health (DOH), who has absolute priority in mission tasking. Priority missions include HCF evacuations, evacuation of special needs populations from homes, and repatriation of the above.
• Nassau DOH has authorized the Regional EMS Council (REMSCO) to deploy and manage the ASTs for 9-1-1 augmentation when not needed for a DOH tasking; however, DOH has priority to recall or redirect any or all of the AST units for DOH missions as needed. 9-1-1 Augmentation is defined as additional resources available for emergency response to ambulance/rescue assignments in an assigned community/jurisdiction.
• The AST communicates among the team members via cellular telephone. The Strike Team Leader has been issued a Nassau County 800 MHz. radio for communication with the EOC.
• As needed, Nassau Police Emergency Ambulance Bureau (EAB) will assign an ambulance coordinator to provide on-site coordination with the Strike Team leaders

Logistics

• For shelter during the hurricane, ASTs will be housed underground at the Nassau Coliseum
• ASTs will be refueled by methods including self-pay (units are carrying federal credit cards) when available, or Nassau Department of Public Works (DPW), primarily at the Eisenhower Park facility (access by contact at the Public Security building) if needed
• Crews will be fed using own arrangements
• Sleeping arrangements will be provided at the Coliseum

Post-storm Deployment

• Once the weather clears for safe ambulance operations, the ASTs will be deployed for 9-1-1 augmentation to the fire battalions with greatest need (anticipated to be Battalions 2, 3, 4, and 9). Deployments will be coordinated by the Nassau Fire Marshal’s office, through the Battalion EOCs. Battalion EOCs will determine which departments will get AST assets.
• Battalion EOCs/Fire Departments receiving AST assets shall be required to provide crew accommodations for feeding and sleeping
• Battalion EOCs/Fire Departments receiving AST assets may utilize the AST units for 9-1-1 augmentation. It is recommended that the local fire departments assign one member with a Department radio to each AST unit as a liaison, communicator, and local guide.
• AST assets will be subject to recall or re-tasking for DOH missions as needed
• DOH will inform REMSCO Liaison of the mission
• REMSCO Liaison will identify the closest appropriate AST asset and provide the assignment via radio or telephone with the AST leader
• AST leader will report back upon completion of the tasking, and will either be given another tasking or return the unit to their 9-1-1 augmentation assignment
• Once evacuated facilities are able to accommodate repopulation, Nassau DOH will direct the re-tasking of the AST assets to the repatriation mission. As needed, all or some of the resources will be given assignments to pick up evacuees and relocate them as needed. Assignments shall be coordinated by the REMSCO Liaison through the AST Leaders.

Operations Plan approved by:

Nassau County Department of Health / ______
Nassau Regional Emergency Medical Services Council / ______
Nassau Police Department Emergency Ambulance Bureau / ______
Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office / _ /s/ Thomas E. Tilley ______
Nassau County Department of Public Works / ______

August 27, 2011

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