Communication and Coordination

The Incident Command System (ICS) is international recognized as best practice for emergency management. The Regional Strategy for Communication and Coordination Between Institutions in the ECOWAS Region for the Control of Epidemics is designed to introduce and/or improve mechanisms for communication and coordination between WAHO, RCSDC, ECOWAS Commission, RAHCs, NCIs and stakeholders in epidemic prevention and control.

 

In a crisis situation, coordination and communication between institutions is usually the responsibility of the country affected, as well as regional instructions and partners. The RCSDC is expected to take a leadership role for health emergencies in the region.

 

Today, there’s an outbreak of Rift Valley Fever on the border of your country and the one next door. The outbreak appears to be contained to two small villages, where calves are dying in great numbers and two farmers have reported sick to a health center.

 

Your Incident Management Team has been asked to assist in the response.

 

Resources:

 

·         RCSDC personnel

·         Untrained Regional Rapid Response Teams

·         Early warning support through ECOWARN

·         Regional Animal Health Centre personnel

Instructions:

 

·         Develop incident objectives for the next five days

·         List general strategies for accomplishing these objectives using the personnel resources listed above

·         Write a report to be delivered to the media by the ICS Communications Officer