Mobilisation

EMTs must be able to mobilize in the shortest possible time ensuring general and institutional interventions to support their operational readiness status.

EMTs mobilization processes are time-critical and require multiple organizational and management chains, often working in parallel. The rapid mobilization and effectiveness of initial actions and familiarity with organizational procedures are essential to organizational readiness and response. Such preparedness also helps to protect team members from added stress due to inadequate training or preparation.69

1. Develop activation protocols with a clear time frame and algorithms or similar to identify the steps needed to mobilize the team and equipment.
2. Communication channels are vital for informing and dispatching trained personnel, securing the release of equipment and obtaining relevant approvals.
3. EMTs must comply with the requirements of the regulatory framework for the transport of dangerous goods and packaging should comply with national and international regulations.70
4. Customs clearance procedures must always be anticipated and properly documented (bill of lading, manifests, custom clearances and arrival documentation).
5. EMTs should have at least a primary, 24-hour solution to allow the transport of equipment and cache plus personnel to a field location.

1. Pre-negotiated arrangements should be in place for cargo movement.
2. EMTs must be able to articulate the weight and volume of their cargo, unloading requirements and the expected arrival times if requesting assistance with local and “last mile” transport.

• EMTs have designed their warehouse layout to match pallet loading priority with pre-packaged, labelled and sealed kits. Other EMTs have algorithm activation cards, and additional warehouse surge staff during deployment.
• The labelling system on the equipment boxes shall reflect the contents of the box (either by subject area or by area of the facility), priority level when loading or unloading (in accordance with the first-in last-out criteria) and zone for location of the box within the footprint quadrant.
• Weight/volume of equipment boxes need to be considered when planning for commercial or air freight transport to facilitate ground handling. Options include setting box weight limit so that four people carry or including ground-handling equipment during deployment.
• Some EMTs have created start-up kits for their medical consumables, which roughly equates to three days’ worth of the total 14-day supply. This practice can facilitate an initial stock to travel with EMT personnel while the remainder bulk holdings are sent via a cargo solution.