The Good,

The Bad,

and The Ugly

TOPOFF2 Lessons LearnedTOPOFF2 Lessons Learned

Half Full or Half Empty...

TOPOFF2 Overview... May 12-16, 2003 Largest Terrorism Response Exercise Designed to Identify Vulnerabilities in the

Nation’s Incident Management Capability Radiological Dispersal Device (Seattle, WA) Pneumonic Plague (Illinois) Open Exercise to Enhance Learning and

Preparedness

DHS After Action Summary... Marred by Communications

Problems Serious Shortages of Medical

Supplies and Hospital Rooms Lack of Federal, State and

Local Preparedness Confusion Over Where

Radiological Residue would Spread

The Participants…

Major Activities… Disease Investigation

and Surveillance SNS Distribution and

Dispensing SWMDT Takedown Hospital Play JOC/JIC Operation

Many Positives from T2… Critical Decisions by Governor and Top Staff SNS Distribution and Dispensing Activities SWMDT Takedown of Terrorist Cell Disease Investigation and Surveillance Utilization of ILEAS – 1,200 law officers Public Information and EAS Activation Rapid VMI Re-supply

Future Preparedness Needs… Coordination Between Many Command Centers Joint Decision-Making/Information Sharing Mass vs. Targeted Prophylaxis Prophylaxis of First Responders Consolidate Conference Calls Further Development of JOC/JIC Streamline Electronic Communication (E-Mail) No Prioritization of Information Shared

Future Preparedness Needs… Wider Distribution of

State Situation Reports Blast-Faxing of

Information Slow Need for Effective

Staging Areas Communication with

SWMDT During Event

Public Health and HospitalReview and Critique

Public Health Activities… Disease Surveillance and Epidemiology Laboratory Confirmation and Technical

Assistance Strategic National Stockpile Distribution Hospital Response and Collaboration Legal Authorities and Review

The Good (i.e. Successes)… Preparedness Activities and Pre-

Planning First Responder and Hospital

Coordination Strategic National Stockpile

Distribution State and Local Public Health

Collaboration Legal Team Development and

Review Defined Public Health Role

During Emergency

The Bad (i.e. Concerns)… Coordination with Command

Centers Sending Voice and Electronic

Communications (Alerts) Monitoring News Reports

(VNN) Highlighted Resource

(Personnel) Needs Input in Major Decisions

(Schools and O’Hare)

…The Ugly (i.e. Critical Issues) New Concept of JOC/JIC Multiple Points-of-

Contact with Federal Government

Time Compressed Activities Produced Unrealistic Scenario

Lessons Learned… Importance of Surge Capacity Critical Role of Regional

Planning (Mutual Aid) Electronic Reporting is

Mandatory Core Surveillance Standards are

Needed Public Health is from Venus and

EMA is from Mars

Next Steps… Further Define SNS Strategies (Mass vs.

Targeted) Upgrade Voice and Electronic Communication

Systems Integrate Public Health and Hospital

Preparedness Activities Conduct Additional Exercise (No Notice)

Questions/Comments…

Donald KaueraufChief, Division of Emergency Preparedness and ResponseIllinois Department of Public Health