Emergency-Medical Health


Low Risk of Terrorist Attacks

  1. Review and update emergency medical and health annexes and SOPs.
  2. Identify required equipment; identify resources available through augmentation.
  3. Refine and exercise pre-planned Protective Measures.
  4. Monitor potential threat elements and revise threat assessments.
  5. Regularly assess vulnerabilities of key assets/ infrastructure.
  7. Emergency medical personnel train to the terrorism /WMD awareness level and on the Homeland Security Advisory System.
  14. Invite other local response organizations to observe or participate in full-scale agency exercises planned for the future.
  15. Conduct public health surveillance; report unusual outbreaks to 1-800-PA-HEALTH. regularly assess public health vulnerabilities.
  16. Submit data required for PEIRS reports to 911 center.


General Risk of Terrorist Attacks

Take all actions from previous level, plus:
  1. Update required equipment; update resources available through augmentation.
  2. Selected emergency medical personnel train to the terrorism /WMD operations level.
  3. Establish alternate staging locations.
  6. Review and update emergency response procedures.
  9. Increase security checks of all vehicles assigned to your agency.


Significant Risk of Terrorist Attacks

Take all actions from previous level, plus:
  1. Alert key personnel.
  2. Check readiness of all health and medical equipment, facilities, and supplies.
  3. Correct any deficiencies in equipment and/or facilities.
  4. Review assignments and recall list with all personnel.
  6. Review THREAT assessment; determine terrorist intentions and capabilities.
  11. Increase surveillance of critical locations.
  12. Increase security in and around EMS station.
  14. Increase health surveillance procedures.
  15. Review plans for the implementation of the SPS (formerly the NPS).
  16. Submit PEIRS report information to the 911 center.


High Risk of Terrorist Attacks

Take all actions from previous level, plus:
  1. Alert personnel of possible emergency duty.
  2. Place off-duty personnel on stand-by.
  3. Alert auxiliary personnel.
  5. Coordinate security efforts with state and local health providers.
  7. Establish liaison with all private and public health and medical facilities.
  8. Have emergency supplies on hand. shelters readied, and review procedures.
  9. Consider the need to request SPS assets; know the SPS supply sites.
  10. Ensure communications plan is understood/ practiced by all agency members.
  11. Review emergency plans to include continuity of operations and media materials.
  12. Determine need to restrict access to EMS agency property, stations, and other key facilities.
  13. Take additional precautions at public events and possibly consider alternate venues or even cancellation.
  15. Exercise caution when traveling.
  17. Maintain constant observation of apparatus and equipment kept outside of the station.
  18. Submit PEIRS Report information to the 911 center.


Severe Risk of Terrorist Attacks

Take all actions from previous level, plus:
  1. Recall and mobilize all EMS personnel.
  2. Notify hospitals to activate disaster plans and prepare to receive a specified number of victims based on the situation.
  3. Maintain 24 hour operations.
  7. Increase or redirect personnel to address critical emergency needs.
  8. Request SPS assets, as appropriate.
  9. Adhere to any travel restrictions announced by local government authorities.
  10. Contact businesses and schools to determine status of work/school day.
  11. 100% identification check and escort of anyone entering the station.
  12. Ensure mental health counselors are available for EMTs.
  13. Listen to radio/TV for current information/ instructions.
  14. Document response activity in 911 CAD.
  15. Submit PEIRS Report information to 911 center.