Exercises are focused on the top hazards for our region and test regional response plans and capabilities. They are coordinated with public health, healthcare providers and local response partners. Where possible, the Coalition considers and incorporates grant and accreditation requirements, such as Joint Commission Emergency Management Standards, into regional exercise objectives.
The Regional Hazard Vulnerability Analysis is used as the basis for identifying top hazards for our region. Please note: prior to the requirements established by the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP), the Coalition used “playbooks” to help organize healthcare participation in regional drills.
Below are examples of past regional exercises:
Pandemonium 2008
The Pandemonium 2008 full-scale exercise scenario was based on a pandemic flu event that begins in the Puget Sound area. The exercise focused on the overall coordination of response between Public Health, healthcare, and other response organizations. A playbook was created specifically for healthcare partners.
View Playbook.
Hospital Evacuation Tabletop Exercises 2009
In 2008, the hospitals in the region began the process of planning for regional coordination related to hospital evacuations. Education sessions and tabletop exercises were held to help inform local response partners and test the plans.
View Tabletop Exercise.
Nursing Home Evacuation Tabletop Exercise 2010
In 2009, nursing home facilities in the region began the process of developing a mutual aid plan to support evacuation. A workshop was held in March 2010 to educate partners to the plan and evaluate the components via tabletop exercise.
View LTC Evacuation Presentation
Hospital Evacuation Drill 2010
This drill tested the Regional Medical Evacuation and Patient Tracking Mutual Aid Plan for hospitals. The exercise was connected to the Regional Soundshake the Aftershock exercise, based on a catastrophic earthquake. It was focused on how to distribute patients from an evacuating hospital to other nearby hospitals.
View the HSEEP Exercise Plan and Playbook.
Soundshake the Aftershock 2010
A regional earthquake exercise organized by the King County Office of Emergency Management. This was a continuation of the Soundshake exercise conducted in 2008. Healthcare focus for this exercise was on business continuity and the ability to provide essential services. The Playbook lists the participating agencies and their focus for this drill.
View Playbook