Standing Orders- A Lesson Reinforced by the Joplin Tornado

If a community is to respond to a disaster of this magnitude and ferocity then it must be prepared before the disaster. A simple set of orders for all personnel who work for a community could jump start the response without direction from above.

As a paramedic I worked under a set of Standing Orders, if a patient has certain set of symptoms we followed a specific set of protocols then contacted the physician. We started the treatment we knew they would order before contacting the physician thereby saving time and starting critical treatment for the patient. We need to establish the same type of system in emergency management.

After a sudden event like the Joplin tornado or an earthquake all of the critical response departments within that jurisdiction should have a set of Standing Orders (this is NOT repeat NOT a criticism of the Joplin response I am only using it as an example). The Public Works, Transportation, Law Enforcement and Fire Departments should all know exactly what to do without being told.

1. All units and facilities must report their status to the next higher up in their chain of command. The report should include if they can still perform your assignments and if not what is their status. The first and most important thing a jurisdiction must establish after an event like Joplin is what do we have left to respond. What are our most critical needs. 
2. All personnel and units should begin immediate operations. Public works and transportation should begin clearing major streets, the fire department and law enforcement should immediately check all critical infrastructure such as hospitals, nursing home and other designated sites. Report their findings and immediately begin search and rescue operations should they be needed. 
3. Any units, stations, vehicles, facilities not reporting in to the EOC should be considered out of service until some sort of communication with them has been established and their status can be determined. 
4. All off duty personnel of the jurisdiction should report to their normal places of duty for the additional manpower that will be needed. 

These Standing Orders should reflect the communities profile but clearing streets and search and rescue should be the primary priorities, followed by communications. Simple straight forward Standing Orders will prevent confusion and delays in the response.