Toward the development of a Preparedness and Response Protocol for epidemics and pandemics

Oliveira, Fabíola Negreiros de; Eckhardt, Daniel; Leiras, Adriana; Gonçalves, Paulo; Brito Junior, Irineu de; Yoshizaki, Hugo Tsugunobu Yoshida; Pedroso, Frederico Ferreira

doi:10.1590/0103-6513.20220034

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Sumário

Thematic Section - Resilient and innovative operations management • Prod. 33 • 2023 • https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-6513.20220034 copy

Toward the development of a Preparedness and Response Protocol for epidemics and pandemics

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Abstract

Paper aims

The paper aims to analyze preparedness and response for epidemics and pandemics, taking as reference the COVID-19 pandemic, to provide a foundation for developing a preparedness and response protocol to guide Civil Defenses fighting against health threats. For this purpose, we present the results of interviews carried out with Brazilian Civil Defenses, evaluating the role and the type of responsibility (in charge or supportive) of 12 entities in four key areas: (i) awareness and training; (ii) surveillance; (iii) information and communication; (iv) logistics and supplies.

Originality

The role of Civil Defenses in health threats still needs to be explored in academia. We often see Civil Defenses working to reduce risks and damages suffered by the population in case of disasters such as floods, landslides, and fires. In this paper, we go deeper into Civil Defense’s role and show that its efforts can be headed to face biological disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic. In this sense, the paper is original as it brings an innovative outlook on the role of Civil Defense, providing inputs for developing a preparedness and response protocol for epidemics and pandemics.

Research method

We analyze 12 Brazilian Civil Defenses from different States in Brazil. The results were gathered through 9 interviews via video call and three responses from a questionnaire that guided the interviews. We evaluated data from Civil Defenses individually, and then using content analysis, we categorized the data to structure the results and raise essential insights.

Main findings

Most of the actions taken by the Civil Defenses during the pandemic response included logistics-related activities such as storage, transportation, distribution of required supplies, and mobilization of supply operations.

Implications for theory and practice

The findings emphasize the capacity of Civil Defenses to act in a vast scope of disasters, including biological disasters. Also, this study helps practitioners to develop guidelines and protocols to support Civil Defense in preparedness and response activities to epidemics and pandemics.

Keywords:
COVID-19; Civil Defense; Pandemics; Preparedness; Response

AWARENESS & TRAINING	ROLE OF CIVIL DEFENSE?		TYPE OF RESPONSIBILITY
AWARENESS & TRAINING	YES	NO	IN CHARGE	SUPPORTIVE
Raising awareness of the disease and its symptoms
Raising awareness about preventive measures
Raising awareness of measures to be taken in case of disease infection
Conducting mass awareness campaigns about the epidemic/pandemic
Volunteering
Training the community (general population, other institutions) to respond to the outbreak, epidemics, and pandemics
Training the community (general population, other institutions) on hygiene practices and preventive measures to combat the diseases

SURVEILLANCE	ROLE OF CIVIL DEFENSE?		TYPE OF RESPONSIBILITY
SURVEILLANCE	YES	NO	IN CHARGE	SUPPORTIVE
Registering and maintaining reliable information about the health needs of infected people
Developing an Early Warning System for Epidemics (Epidemiological Surveillance)
Developing a monitoring system to follow up on the number of cases, deaths, and recovery of the epidemic/pandemic
Developing a system/apps enabling disease monitoring, and the most affected municipalities in the State

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION	ROLE OF CIVIL DEFENSE?		TYPE OF RESPONSIBILITY
INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION	YES	NO	IN CHARGE	SUPPORTIVE
Installing information systems that allow the dissemination of information to communities in real-time
Gathering reliable media channels to disseminate accurate information
Gathering lists of emails and contacts that can be used to disseminate information quickly
Developing specific documents for communication - for different audiences - to communicate relevant and correct information before, during, and after the epidemic/pandemic.

LOGISTICS & SUPPLIES	ROLE OF CIVIL DEFENSE?		TYPE OF RESPONSIBILITY
LOGISTICS & SUPPLIES	YES	NO	IN CHARGE	SUPPORTIVE
Providing a functioning supply chain in support of essential services and critical national supplies during the epidemic/pandemic
Requesting authorized resources and facilities to meet response actions
Identifying the need for humanitarian supplies and purchasing them
Receiving, storing, and managing stocks of donations and supply purchases
Conducting and coordinating the screening of supply kits, equipment, and materials
Carrying out the distribution of supply donations (water, food, personal protective and hygiene equipment such as masks, alcohol gel, and medicines)
Providing appropriate systems and warehouses for logistic activities, and administrative support for the logistical network
Providing transport, accommodation, and food for response personnel (including volunteers)
Providing safe place/shelters for those affected by the epidemic/pandemic
Maintaining visibility and management of critical equipment and supplies in case of epidemics/pandemics
Developing inventory maintenance policies for supply items to prevent and respond to the disease

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