Mock Disaster Plan

Mock Disaster Plan – Active Shooter

American Military University

Author Note

Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) forms will be used, this is a hospital based

scenario. The following Incident Action Plan was created for a mock disaster. All names, dates,

and information are false and are to only be used for the purpose of an assignment given by

American Military University. Thank you.

Mock Disaster Plan – Active Shooter

The 2008 version of an active shooter is defines as “An Active Shooter is an individual

actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most

cases, active shooters use firearms(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of

victims.” (Active Shooter, How to respond, 2008)

This mock disaster occurs in a Hospital, Acme City, Florida. This is a large hospital

system, with four main campuses, and 11, 000 employees. Campus A has 476 bed capacity,

offers a variety of advanced services, including stroke, cardiac, and trauma.

On Tuesday December 1st, at 2100 hours, an ambulance arrives with a critical patient,

post arrest. The patient is a 52-year-old female, post arrest. EMS delivers the patient to the Acme

emergency department after working the code. The patient has a pulse, and is being artificially

ventilated. The ER stabilizes the patient, and at 2230 hours, the patient is moved to the ICU on

the fourth floor.

Family arrived while the patient was in the ER being cared for by ER staff. The family

only consisted of 1 male child, age 21. While in the ER, a case manager and attending ER

physician discuss the care plan with the son. Part of the plan included a do not resuscitate order,

which the son adamantly declined.

At 0315 hours, the patient coded in ICU; all efforts exhausted, patient’s time of death was

at 0355 hours. The son left angry with his mother’s possessions.

The son returned the following Tuesday at 2100 hours, found an open door entered the

ER and began to shoot staff looking for the physician of his mother. After the shooting incident

in the ER, the active shooter stole a badge and began to head up to the fourth floor.

Law enforcement responded, and when they found the shooter, he committed suicide.

Upon the arrival of the active shooter, several people heard the gun fire, and 911 was

called. Acme hospital initiated their code silver, active shooter plan. Initial actions included an

overhead page, plain language; “Attention, attention, attention, there is a life threatening, an

active shooter occurring; this situation requires action for all staff and visitors, immediately take

cover, hide or evacuate is safe to do so,” the message repeated 3 times. Mass text messages have

been sent in and outside of the hospital when before and after, using the MIR3 mass

communication system.

After the active shooter event has ended, the hospital administrator on call begins to open

their command center, (emergency operations center), located on the fifth floor, HICS is

implemented.

Outside agencies respond including EMS, and Emergency Management.

Communications begin through the command center of the hospital.

Command Staff

Command staff is activated as soon as Law Enforcement gives an all clear for safety. The

hospital PIO is in route to the hospital. The house supervisor assumes the role of Incident

Commander until the on-call hospital administrator arrives. Liaison officer is a Paramedic who

works in the hospital and for EMS, located in the mobile command outside. The house

supervisor assigns temporary staff for operations and planning. ICU director assumes the role of

safety officer.

First actions of the command center include establishing command, and incident action

plan. The situation summary is provided for responding staff to understand the current situation.

The hospital calls a briefing for all managers and directors. The meeting takes place in

the cafeteria. IAP is provided to staff, and instructions for supervisors to account for all staff,

handle any immediate needs, including mental health counseling. Account for all patients prior to

the incident. A form is provided for documentation, and all documentation be faxed to the

command center.

The command center needs assistance with answering phone calls, and documentation.

Several volunteers are sent from the managers and directors. Notify staff, no one is to speak to

the press, and help keep rumor control.

Operations

The operation’s section is responsible for tactics, and incident objectives are met. The

planning process for this incident includes the current command staff, and administrators able to

call. The assumption is there will be two operational periods. This incident took place late at

night, and the second operational period will begin at 0700 hours the nest day.

The medical unit will be tasked with remaining in contact with staff going home to help

ensure they are coping with the situation, and offer assistance if required, or requested. Briefings

are scheduled every three hours for command and general staff.

Conclusion

This is a relatively small incident. However, it blossoms into a large incident because it

occurs at a major hospital. This hospital already has their managers, and director’s NIMS

compliant. Active shooter policies in place. All communications go through the command center;

everything is documented. The PIO stays in close touch with the press to help ensure accurate

information is being released. The family and friends conducted by spiritual services include

taking inquiries from the public about family members during the initial operations. Logistics

section is not needed. The hospital is capable of handling this type of incident without logistics

section, and the finance section will be handled by administrative staff. An important focus on

communications, information, and special handling for affected staff.

References

Active Shooter, How to respond. (2008). Retrieved from DHS.gov:

https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_booklet.pdf