PORTFOLIO: RECENT DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PROJECTS
Delaware Healthcare Preparedness Coalition Medical Response and Surge Exercise
The Challenge
The Delaware Healthcare Preparedness Coalition (DHPC) was required by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), through their participation in the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) to organize and execute a Medical Response and Surge Exercise (MRSE). The exercise planning team determined that they would conduct a functional exercise (FE). The overarching exercise objective was to simulate the management of a large patient surge event resulting from a chemical incident that primarily affected pediatric populations and included stakeholders such as long-term care facilities, emergency management agencies, and emergency medical services (EMS).
The Solution
The Delaware Division of Public Health contracted with Delta Development Group, Inc. to oversee the development, delivery, and evaluation of the MRSE. Delta conducted HSEEP-consistent planning meetings to advance the development of the FE. During these meetings Delta worked with the DHPC planning team to identify a scenario that would meeting the ASPR required objectives, as well as their internal objectives. The exercise involved over 400 patients represented by paper to be input into their patient tracking system. Injects for the exercise were delivered through simulated through emails and phone calls from the simulation cell. Hospitals stood up their hospital command centers and reacted to the information presented. Following its conclusion, an After-Action Report (AAR) and Improvement Plan (IP) was crafted for the coalition.
The Result
Delta successfully completed the planning and execution of the exercise, including the ASPR reporting requirements and finalized the AAR/IPs. The AAR/IP included a list of recommendations for the respective hospitals, and coalition, to further develop and improve upon their medical surge plans and response capabilities.
The Challenge
The Delaware Healthcare Preparedness Coalition (DHPC) was required by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), through their participation in the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) to organize and execute a Medical Response and Surge Exercise (MRSE). The exercise planning team determined that they would conduct a functional exercise (FE). The overarching exercise objective was to simulate the management of a large patient surge event resulting from a chemical incident that primarily affected pediatric populations and included stakeholders such as long-term care facilities, emergency management agencies, and emergency medical services (EMS).
The Solution
The Delaware Division of Public Health contracted with Delta Development Group, Inc. to oversee the development, delivery, and evaluation of the MRSE. Delta conducted HSEEP-consistent planning meetings to advance the development of the FE. During these meetings Delta worked with the DHPC planning team to identify a scenario that would meeting the ASPR required objectives, as well as their internal objectives. The exercise involved over 400 patients represented by paper to be input into their patient tracking system. Injects for the exercise were delivered through simulated through emails and phone calls from the simulation cell. Hospitals stood up their hospital command centers and reacted to the information presented. Following its conclusion, an After-Action Report (AAR) and Improvement Plan (IP) was crafted for the coalition.
The Result
Delta successfully completed the planning and execution of the exercise, including the ASPR reporting requirements and finalized the AAR/IPs. The AAR/IP included a list of recommendations for the respective hospitals, and coalition, to further develop and improve upon their medical surge plans and response capabilities.
Maryland Region V Emergency Preparedness Coalition Medical Response and Surge Exercise
The Challenge
The Maryland Region V Emergency Preparedness Coalition (EPC) was required by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), through their participation in the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) to organize and execute a Medical Response and Surge Exercise (MRSE) full-scale exercise (FSE). The overarching exercise objective was to simulate the management of a large patient surge event resulting from a coordinated chemical attack across the region, involving 16 hospitals and supporting organizations, including local health departments and emergency management agencies.
The Solution
Maryland Region V EPC contracted with Delta Development Group, Inc. to oversee the development, delivery, and evaluation of the MRSE. Delta conducted weekly planning meetings to advance the development of the FSE. During these meetings it was determined that Delta would individually tailor the scenarios for each of the five counties in Maryland Region V. This allowed multiple chemical scenarios and difference symptoms for the patients based on which county the hospital is located. The exercise involved over 500 patients, some portrayed by actors, others by test mannequins, with the majority being paper patients. Injects for the exercise were delivered through simulated news
casts, Microsoft Teams messages, and phone calls from the simulation cell. To accommodate all hospitals, the exercise was conducted in two phases, a morning and afternoon session. Hospitals stood up their hospital command centers and reacted to the information presented. Following its conclusion, After-Action Reports (AAR) and Improvement Plans (IP) were crafted for each hospital and the region as a whole.
The Result
Delta successfully completed the planning and execution of the exercise, including the ASPR reporting requirements and finalized all 17 AAR/IPs. Each AAR/IP included a list of recommendations for the respective hospitals, and coalition, to further develop and improve upon their medical surge plans and response capabilities.
The Challenge
The Maryland Region V Emergency Preparedness Coalition (EPC) was required by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), through their participation in the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) to organize and execute a Medical Response and Surge Exercise (MRSE) full-scale exercise (FSE). The overarching exercise objective was to simulate the management of a large patient surge event resulting from a coordinated chemical attack across the region, involving 16 hospitals and supporting organizations, including local health departments and emergency management agencies.
The Solution
Maryland Region V EPC contracted with Delta Development Group, Inc. to oversee the development, delivery, and evaluation of the MRSE. Delta conducted weekly planning meetings to advance the development of the FSE. During these meetings it was determined that Delta would individually tailor the scenarios for each of the five counties in Maryland Region V. This allowed multiple chemical scenarios and difference symptoms for the patients based on which county the hospital is located. The exercise involved over 500 patients, some portrayed by actors, others by test mannequins, with the majority being paper patients. Injects for the exercise were delivered through simulated news
casts, Microsoft Teams messages, and phone calls from the simulation cell. To accommodate all hospitals, the exercise was conducted in two phases, a morning and afternoon session. Hospitals stood up their hospital command centers and reacted to the information presented. Following its conclusion, After-Action Reports (AAR) and Improvement Plans (IP) were crafted for each hospital and the region as a whole.
The Result
Delta successfully completed the planning and execution of the exercise, including the ASPR reporting requirements and finalized all 17 AAR/IPs. Each AAR/IP included a list of recommendations for the respective hospitals, and coalition, to further develop and improve upon their medical surge plans and response capabilities.
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Continuity of Operations Tabletop Exercise
The Challenge
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a regional energy company doing business in Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. In reviewing their Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), they recognized that in the event of ransomware or other cyber-attack, enterprise operations may be impacted by the loss or disruption in one or more of the corporate computer networks. Disruption in these computer networks could affect any number of different aspects of the company and raises the question of how the corporation will ensure continuity of operations for essential energy delivery functions. Chesapeake determined there was a need to conduct a Tabletop Exercise (TTX) to evaluate its business continuity plan under the context of a cyber-attack.
The Solution
Chesapeake engaged Delta Development Group, Inc. to develop a comprehensive business continuity TTX focusing on their implementation of the business continuity plan in response to a ransomware attack. The exercise was developed using Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) doctrine. The four-hour, virtual exercise provided the 35 participants from across Chesapeake’s business units and geographic locations an opportunity to discuss how current plans and procedures could aid their ability to respond to a ransomware attack meanwhile maintaining essential functions and critical operations. The exercise evaluated internal and external communications, stakeholder engagement, and maintaining continuity of utility operations. At the conclusion of the exercise, Delta developed a thorough After-Action Report (AAR)/Improvement Plan (IP) which allowed Chesapeake Utilities to reference lessons learned from the exercise and opportunities for improvement to strengthen plans, procedures, and inform future training activities.
The Result
Delta was able to develop and deliver a comprehensive business continuity TTX which provided an opportunity to identify gaps in their ability to continue operations in the event of ransomware attacks. This virtual TTX pulled together corporate leadership from several states and business units to test their response capabilities. Delta developed an AAR/IP which captured numerous strengths and opportunities for improvement, which will guide their ongoing business continuity practices.
The Challenge
Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a regional energy company doing business in Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. In reviewing their Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), they recognized that in the event of ransomware or other cyber-attack, enterprise operations may be impacted by the loss or disruption in one or more of the corporate computer networks. Disruption in these computer networks could affect any number of different aspects of the company and raises the question of how the corporation will ensure continuity of operations for essential energy delivery functions. Chesapeake determined there was a need to conduct a Tabletop Exercise (TTX) to evaluate its business continuity plan under the context of a cyber-attack.
The Solution
Chesapeake engaged Delta Development Group, Inc. to develop a comprehensive business continuity TTX focusing on their implementation of the business continuity plan in response to a ransomware attack. The exercise was developed using Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) doctrine. The four-hour, virtual exercise provided the 35 participants from across Chesapeake’s business units and geographic locations an opportunity to discuss how current plans and procedures could aid their ability to respond to a ransomware attack meanwhile maintaining essential functions and critical operations. The exercise evaluated internal and external communications, stakeholder engagement, and maintaining continuity of utility operations. At the conclusion of the exercise, Delta developed a thorough After-Action Report (AAR)/Improvement Plan (IP) which allowed Chesapeake Utilities to reference lessons learned from the exercise and opportunities for improvement to strengthen plans, procedures, and inform future training activities.
The Result
Delta was able to develop and deliver a comprehensive business continuity TTX which provided an opportunity to identify gaps in their ability to continue operations in the event of ransomware attacks. This virtual TTX pulled together corporate leadership from several states and business units to test their response capabilities. Delta developed an AAR/IP which captured numerous strengths and opportunities for improvement, which will guide their ongoing business continuity practices.
Delaware Division of Public Health Medical Surge Plan
The Challenge
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) was required by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) to update its Medical Surge Plan and develop additional appendices to enhance the state's ability to respond to large-scale health emergencies.
The Solution
DPH engaged Delta Development Group, Inc. (Delta) to update the medical surge plan and develop a series of additional appendices that focused on seamless coordination across different emergency scenarios, including:
Delta was tasked with ensuring the plan’s consistency with ASPR guidelines, federal regulations, and best practices. Delta began by conducting a comprehensive review of the state's existing Medical Surge Plan. This review highlighted areas for improvement and provided a roadmap for addressing both medical surge and fatality management needs. Delta collaborated closely with DPH and key stakeholders, including emergency responders, the state medical examiner’s office, trauma care experts, and public health officials, to identify resources and refine operational strategies. This collaborative approach enabled the identification of critical gaps in capacity—such as available space, staffing, and logistical capabilities—while emphasizing the need for coordination among local, state, and federal agencies.
The Result
Delta successfully developed and completed the updates to Delaware’s Medical Surge Plan, ensuring full compliance with ASPR federal requirements and best practices. The revised plan is a comprehensive, actionable framework designed to guide Delaware’s response to medical surge incidents.
The Challenge
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) was required by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) to update its Medical Surge Plan and develop additional appendices to enhance the state's ability to respond to large-scale health emergencies.
The Solution
DPH engaged Delta Development Group, Inc. (Delta) to update the medical surge plan and develop a series of additional appendices that focused on seamless coordination across different emergency scenarios, including:
- Pediatric Care
- Burn Management
- High Consequence Infectious Disease Exposure
- Radiation Exposure
- Chemical Exposure
Delta was tasked with ensuring the plan’s consistency with ASPR guidelines, federal regulations, and best practices. Delta began by conducting a comprehensive review of the state's existing Medical Surge Plan. This review highlighted areas for improvement and provided a roadmap for addressing both medical surge and fatality management needs. Delta collaborated closely with DPH and key stakeholders, including emergency responders, the state medical examiner’s office, trauma care experts, and public health officials, to identify resources and refine operational strategies. This collaborative approach enabled the identification of critical gaps in capacity—such as available space, staffing, and logistical capabilities—while emphasizing the need for coordination among local, state, and federal agencies.
The Result
Delta successfully developed and completed the updates to Delaware’s Medical Surge Plan, ensuring full compliance with ASPR federal requirements and best practices. The revised plan is a comprehensive, actionable framework designed to guide Delaware’s response to medical surge incidents.