PORTFOLIO: DISASTER PREPAREDNESS 

South Central Pennsylvania Healthcare Coalition Exercise
​​The South-Central Pennsylvania Healthcare Coalition engaged Delta in developing a regional functional exercise to evaluate their facilities and their abilities to sustain healthcare support operations over a long-term duration due to a regional evacuation. Delta was tasked with developing the scenario along with exercise objectives that corresponded with multiple ASPR Capabilities. Numerous facilities from across the South-Central Pennsylvania area participated from their respective home facilities. Delta developed a comprehensive communications plan that enabled information amongst players to be exchanged efficiently. Delta created a controller evaluator training briefing that happened in person and virtually. Adding controller evaluator training and individualized injects for each facility created a successful exercise where facilities were able to learn and define their protocols and response efforts. Additionally, the facilities collaborated in times of an emergency and were able to network with other facilities in their area. This exercise enabled facilities to learn valuable lessons regarding their individual plans, what worked and did not work, and to identify their shortcomings.

No-Notice Ebola Exercise
The DPS team developed and evaluated a No-Notice Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Exercise at a frontline healthcare facility as part of our continuing project work with a state Public Health Agency. The exercise was unique in that only the hospital’s emergency preparedness coordinator and top leadership were aware of when the exercise was occurring. The idea of No-Notice exercises is that this type of exercise allows for a truer sense of response activities.  This exercise evaluated the triage, notification, and transport processes as they would occur normally without added artificialities. A patient-actor presented to the emergency department of an acute care hospital with symptoms and travel history consistent with EVD, with all internal and external notifications to response partners happening in real time. The patient was isolated, stabilized, and transported by a designated EVD Transport Unit via Isopod to an Ebola Treatment Facility.

Cooper University Hospital
Development of the Southern New Jersey Health Care Preparedness Coalition 
​The Southern New Jersey Regional Healthcare Preparedness Coalition (SNJHPC) sought assistance in developing and planning for the implementation of different roles and responsibilities for coalitions outlined by the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH). The NJDOH specifically required assistance addressing gaps identified through regional or statewide assessments and required a driven individual to assist in filling those gaps. Delta was able to create a multi-arching document to address all the SNJHPC concerns. Key Tasks accomplished as part of the scope of work included: Update of the coalition bylaws; Creation of Membership Agreement; Fiscal Sponsor Agreement, Financial Sustainment Plan; and Coalition Operations Standard Operating Guidelines; Completion of Administrative Guideline document.  Delta developed the Southern New Jersey Healthcare Coalition Administrative Guideline. The purpose of this document was to provide guidance in the administration of the SNJHC by assisting leadership in the management of coalition operations.

Delaware Division of Public Health
Public Health Preparedness Program
Since April 2011, Delta has been retained by the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) to develop a Federal Emergency Management Agency Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 101 (CPG-101)-compliant DPH Emergency Response Plan. Furthermore, Delta was tasked with Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program-compliant exercise support to build on the planning efforts. Delta provided evaluation support to DPH’s response to the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. A comprehensive and exhaustive After-Action Report was developed to provide insight and detail on how to address planning, training, and equipment issues. Overall, DPH has embraced the approach Delta has utilized and found it to be highly valuable in achieving their long-term goals. 

Cooper University
Southern New Jersey Modular Medical Expansion System Project Planning
Nine Southern New Jersey counties included in the Southern New Jersey Modular Medical Expansion System (MMES) Project were in need of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), training, and drill exercises to establish, operate, and demobilize a Medical Needs Shelter (MNS) during a disaster incident. Although the counties received an MNS trailer cache with the necessary supplies for MNS operations, they did not have SOPs for the use of equipment and were in need of training for the MNS cache. Delta met with all nine counties, conducted a gap analysis of current levels of MNS preparedness in the region, and produced an MNS Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) and supporting appendices, and then conducted planning meetings with all nine counties. Delta also conducted an After-Action Report that assessed MNS operations during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. As a result of the MMES Project, all counties in the region are operating from a standard set of procedures for MNS operations and have the tools needed to operate an MNS. 

School and Municipal Pipeline Emergency Preparedness Project (SaMPEP)
Sunoco Pipeline, L.P., an Energy Transfer Company (SPLP) sought professional services to assist in providing research and outreach to schools and municipalities proximate to the proposed path of the Mariner East 2 and 2X (ME2/X) pipelines originating in Scio, Ohio and terminating in Marcus Hook, PA. ME2/X will be transiting three states including Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, crossing 20 counties, and 97 municipalities. The purpose of the School and Municipal Pipeline Emergency Preparedness (SaMPEP) outreach project was to inform stakeholders along the path of the pipeline, provide specific information regarding pipeline location and safety and provide the key components that should be part of their respective school and municipal emergency management plans. SPLP desired to identify public and parochial schools within one-half mile of the center point of the pipeline right-of-way. Delta identified schools, including child care centers, using Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis of the ME2/X pipeline route and its relationship to schools, primarily to evaluate the topography of the school-pipeline relationship to determine if the school is at the same level, higher or lower elevation than the pipeline right of way. In addition, research was conducted to evaluate best practices nationwide for pipeline emergencies. Materials were developed based on the research of informational packages for each school and municipality. The information package also included emergency planning guidelines and templates for pipeline emergencies and specific information relevant to the school’s or municipality’s proximity and position relative to the pipeline including maps. Delta assembled and trained field teams to conduct outreach sessions with school districts located in the pipeline zones. Once identified, Delta initiated contact with the schools to schedule and provide emergency preparedness information developed for the project. The same approach was taken for municipalities along the path of the pipeline.