Welcome to ZZ Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

V. ALERT/COMMUNICATION/PUBLIC INFORMATION

Center-wide Notification of HICS Activation
1.The Incident Commander will direct the Public Information Officer or designee to conduct a Center-wide notification for HICS Activation.  For immediate life safety threats overhead announcements will be made.

2.Notification methods for staff and LIPs may include Center-wide email, intranet announcement, and messaging to personal communication devices (e.g., pagers, walkie-talkies, and cellular telephones).  EzNotify will also be utilized for mass notification.

3.Alternate communication to staff may include notification through the Public Information Officer by radio or television if indicated.

Staff Communications During Emergencies
1.Phone communications will be limited to disaster-related issues and critical and life safety communications. THE OPERATOR SHOULD NOT BE CALLED FOR INCIDENT INFORMATION.

2.In the event of regular phone failure, RED disaster phones will be utilized.  The Red Phone directory of numbers is available on the Emergency Management website Departments are encouraged maintain a paper copy for ready reference.

Notifying & Communicating With External Authorities
1.All appropriate external authorities will be notified to facilitate effective response, continuing operations, and recovery from an emergency that disrupts the normal patient care and/or business operations of the organization.

2.When the EOP is initiated, the appropriate external authorities and community partners will be notified as needed. (see Appendix A-6, External Contact Directory)

Communicating With Other Healthcare Organizations
The Healthcare organizations that are located within the geographical area of the facility have a working relationship with Center through direct Mutual Aid Agreement (NYPH) and via collaboration in planning and exercises, and sharing of key information and resources.  Contact information for city wide and neighboring hospitals is in Appendix A -6, External Contact Directory)

Patient information that may be shared with the other healthcare organizations, local or state health departments, or other law enforcement authorities on the whereabouts on patients during an emergency may include patient's name and location.  The information shared about the patients will be in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Communicating With Patients & Family Members
1.A family support center will be established to coordinate the needs and information to family members of patients, to coordinate the information on the location of patients, and to provide critical incident stress debriefings.

2.Under the Planning Section the Patient Information Officer and the Human Services Unit Leader, they would setup procedures for the patient's families.

3.There will need for direct communication with the Patient Tracking Unit Leader for tracking of patients.

4.If the emergency contact family member is not present with the patient they will be contacted and provided with the location of the patient once they are moved or evacuated.

Communicating With the Media & the Public
1.The Public Information Officer (PIO) has the responsibility for media and public information as it pertains to an event that involves the Center.  The PIO has established working relationships with local media and public health agencies prior to an event.  The PIO regularly attends meetings with the systems that would establish a Joint Information Center (JIC).  The information that will go out to the community will come from the JIC as a unified message to the area.

2.If the Center is involved solely during an event, the PIO in the Center's Command Center will communicate with the community or local media.

Communicating With Supply Chain Vendors
The Center maintains a list of purveyors, including vendors, contractors, and consultants that can provide specific services before, during, and after an emergency event which are maintained by the Procurement, and Director of Patient Support Service, and the Director of Emergency Management and updated annually.  Where appropriate, Memoranda of Understandings (MOUs) exist to help facilitate services during the time of a community event.

Alternate Communication Capabilities
In addition to the Red Phone capability, the Center's Telecommunications Department maintains alternate communication systems and devices which are tested on a regular basis.  These include cell phones, radios, and Nextel devices which can be deployed to clinical floors and distributed to HICS team members.

Alternate Care Site (ACS) Communications
In the event an alternate care site is established, the Center's Command Center (HCC) will maintain communications with the Alternate Care Site (ACS).  The HICS IS Chief and Telecommunications Unit Leader will assess the ACS and direct the establishment of IT and tele-communication capabilities.

US Patent Numbers 7,720,998 B2, 7,836,207