James a. Haley veterans hospital “stands up” to hurricanes helene and milton | va tampa health care | veterans affairs

James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital bustled with activity as Hurricanes Helene and Milton threatened to wreak havoc on Tampa’s facilities within two weeks of each other. In response to the

potential impact on the community, the hospital activated the Incident Command System, with Anthony Moorehead, FACHE, as the Incident Commander. An ICS is a standardized approach to managing

emergencies by integrating resources and personnel to coordinate a response. Moorehead quickly organized his team, which consisted of executive leadership and various critical services

within the hospital. “The importance of the ICS is to allow the healthcare system to run normal operations, but emergency operations concurrently,” said Moorehead. As the storms approached,

the ICS focused on logistics to ensure necessary supplies were in stock. The Planning section mapped out potential scenarios, while the Operations section stayed ready to respond to any

emergencies. “Having Logistics in the Incident Command allows for rapid updates on status and gives a clear picture of available resources,” explained David Flannery, deputy chief of

logistics. “It also eliminates any lag as far as information flow and allows for decisions to be made quickly and as needed.” Amid the flurry of activity, Moorehead remained the picture of

composure, making efficient decisions under the constraints of time and the scope of the hurricane’s impact. “We work real issues in real time to make decisions in the moment during an

emergency,” said Moorehead. “This comes down to the expertise and preparedness of the ICS team.” Ready as always to assist, the VA Police were also on standby in the Incident Command.

“Providing real-time security for infrastructure and people makes the police an important component of the team,” said Paul Fleming, VA police chief. “Controlling access and providing

security to facilities is crucial for everyone’s safety.” Public Information was tasked with keeping the community, veterans, and staff informed of changes to the hospital’s operational

status through media alerts, emails and social media postings. Two more substantial elements of the ICS team include Human Resources and Finance. “Managing the labor pool and volunteers

during an emergency is necessary for unexpected staff shortages to ensure the mission is completed without delays,” said David Miller, human resources officer. “In this instance, the finance

officer’s role is to monitor the utilization of financial assets and the accounting for financial expenditures,” said Bob Konkel, finance chief. “This is accomplished by providing funds as

needed, tracking obligations, and supporting supply chain management and contracting. After the event, we gather the cost and transfer it to established reimbursable accounts as set by the

VA for declared emergencies.” Facility Management and Services played a significant role in preparing for both storms, with emphasis on examining and anticipating structural damage and power

requirements. The FMS team worked tirelessly through both storms, repairing water intrusions throughout the nights, while Environmental Services managed any potential safety hazards and

contributed to cleanliness throughout the facility. “We are charged with the responsibility of addressing multiple issues, some of which will not be known ahead of time. Typically, we

prepare the facility for loss of utilities such as water and power. We have backup systems, track available volume, and plan for how that equates to days of availability. We also implement

plans to shed the demand load on those utilities,” said Mike Rogala, FMS chief. “We also address emergency calls during the event, such as leaks from rainwater, which are more prevalent with

horizontal rain.” As the storms passed, the hospital remained operational and safe, thanks to the swift and organized response of the ICS. “I find being on the ICS team to be very calming,

no matter what is going on,” said Flannery. “The team always keeps a composed, even-keeled approach to allow for a stress-free environment for disciplined, practical decisions that are not

made under duress.” As the sun shone once again, the hospital stood as a shining example of how teamwork and preparedness are the perfect formula to overcome any challenge. Moorehead and his

team emerged victorious in the feat of keeping hospital operations running smoothly, with patients and staff safe from the brunt of the storms. They were praised for their exceptional

leadership and communication. “It’s an honor to be the Incident Commander,” said Moorehead. “I am lucky to be part of such a skillful team.”