DPT 8.0
Command, Control & Communications
•Accurate, timely notifications
–Disaster scene to hospital
–Hospital to disaster scene
•Communications
–Community to disaster scene
–Disaster scene to hospital
–Hospital to disaster scene
–Within the hospital
COMMAND, CONTROL & COMMUNICATIONS (Continued)

After the terrorist attack has occurred, the community will be notified by survivors, the media, and by first responders.  This notification should extend in a coordinated fashion to rapidly mobilize resources to the scene.  911 operators and dispatchers should be specially trained to recognize terrorist attacks and have a plan to notify appropriate authorities.  In addition to local first responders (police, fire, EMS, HAZMAT, SWAT, emergency management, etc.), other agencies should also be notified (health department, FBI, FEMA, National Guard).

There should be special notification of the medical community.  This will enable rapid activation of pre-arranged disaster plans to support the community response.
In order to facilitate this notification, communication channels should be developed that will be reliable in times of crisis.  Regular phone lines and cell phones are likely to be overwhelmed with community access.  Radio communication should be coordinated to enable secure and discernable transmission of timely and accurate information to first responders and medical facilities.

At the hospital, internal communication with portable radios (“walkie talkies”) or runners should be utilized.  The hospital should also have access to communication with the incident commander at the scene to relate bed and resource status.