The Scenario
A visiting tourist is camping in a rural area of Northern Texas, and builds a small campfire before going to sleep. When he leaves the site, a few remaining embers blow into the surrounding brush and start a small wildfire. The local volunteer fire department quickly responds and attempts to contain the fire using fire lines and a nearby creek. Unfortunately, the heavy rains during the previous winter followed by an unusually dry summer have left large areas of dry grass and timber that quickly fuel and spread the fire. Within hours, two small area hospitals are in danger of being evacuated.
The Challenges
Lack of a Regional Evacuation Plan. Although both hospitals conduct joint planning and exercise activities, neither one has plans to evacuate beyond each other's individual facilities.
Patient Transport. A 25-bed nursing home, two ambulatory care centers and a 10-bed hospice facility in the region are currently evacuating and have requested patient transport.
A Need for Alternate Care Sites. Both hospitals are desperate to find alternate care sites but have been unable to coordinate with regional authorities or providers.
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