PREPARED BY: Planning and Strategic Initiatives
DATE: 2025-06-26
SUBJECT: Emergency Preparedness
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE
Public health emergencies, ranging from infectious disease outbreaks to environmental health hazards, require coordinated, timely, and effective responses. The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the critical need for robust emergency preparedness and the importance of leadership in supporting emergency response operations. The Board of Health plays a vital role in setting the strategic direction and providing oversight during emergencies. To fulfil these responsibilities effectively, a foundational understanding of emergency management structures, including the Incident Command System (also known as Incident Management System), is essential.
DISCUSSION
Recognizing the essential role that the leadership team and board of health play during public health emergencies, it is recommended that all members of the board of health and leadership team complete the ICS 402: Incident Command System for Executives. This is part of a larger 5 year training and exercise plan that has been developed to ensure WECHU staff at all levels are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to effectively respond to a wide range of public health emergencies.
The ICS 402 course is designed for executives, administrators, and policy makers who may not be directly involved in operational incident response but are critical to the success of emergency planning, response, and recovery efforts. It supports informed decision-making, promotes consistent communication with emergency response partners, and enhances the WECHU’s overall preparedness and capacity.
NEXT STEPS
The ICS 402: Incident Command System for Executives course is scheduled for July 18 @ 9am -12pm.