08-09-2023 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ramsey County │ Annex F: Fatality Management 2 As an operational plan, this Annex does not address response tactics. Response tactics are outlined in the subject or threat-specific plans and procedures created and maintained by relevant agencies and departments. Such plans and procedures are cited within this Annex and the reference section. During the use of this and other plans and procedures, the overall emergency management concepts, policies, and procedures contained in the CEOP remain in place. 1.3 Planning Assumptions • The RCME’s Office has legal authority over all deaths in Ramsey County and other jurisdictions with which the RCME’s Office has a jurisdictional contract and would assume control of body recovery and identification during a mass fatality. It is possible that the RCME’s Office may be supporting multiple jurisdictions at any given time. • A mass fatality can be the result of several types of hazards, including natural, technological, and human-caused. • An incident that involves chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) agents may require decontamination at the scene prior to recovery and investigation. • A mass fatality incident could overwhelm the existing staff and resources at the RCME’s Office as staff need to maintain daily caseloads within the counties they serve. • The number of decedents could exceed the capacity in the Ramsey County Morgue. • Factors such as magnitude, type, population type, condition of remains, rate of recovery, contamination, or status and location of incident can impact the length of response. • In a mass fatality event, decedents may not be immediately identifiable, and the identification process could be lengthy. • Effective coordination among local, state, and federal responders in a mass fatality event is a key factor in ensuring successful, culturally competent responses to major incidents. • The ultimate purpose in a mass fatality response is to recover, identify and effect final disposition in a timely, safe, and respectful manner while reasonably accommodating religious, cultural and societal expectations. Under certain circumstances, this will be challenging and require support and leadership from all levels of government. • Mass fatality events create widespread traumatic stress—for responders, families that are impacted, and, at times, the community-at-large. Traumatic stress can lead to physical illness and disease, precipitate mental and psychological disorders, and can destroy relationships and families. Attending to socio-cultural and behavioral health needs of victims’ and responders is critical. • The purpose of the mass fatality plan is to provide a framework to facilitate an organized and effective response to mass fatality events that treats the deceased and their loved ones with dignity and respect. • Family Assistance Services (FAS), including standing up a Family Assistance Center (FAC), will be coordinated by Ramsey County Social Services in an incident under the direction of the County’s Mass Care Primary Agency: St. Paul Ramsey County Public Health.