Coordination is essential between Command Staff, medical teams, and public health/preventive medicine assets. Given the highly complex nature of the COVID-19 disease and need for subject matter expertise (SME), Commanders are encouraged to designate a COVID-19 response and planning team consisting of medical and public health/preventive medicine SMEs along with operational planners. Task Force Med Leaders are encouraged to coordinate with respective Surgeon teams and Force Health Protection assets to translate and communicate all guidance and policy down to the most forward units with attention to operational security and patient privacy laws. In order to facilitate a coherent Joint effort, the response should follow established DoD procedures as outlined in DODI 6200.03 Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) Within the DoD, 28 Mar 2019 and DODI 6055.17 DoD Emergency Management (EM) Program, Change 3 effective 12 Jun 2019.
All leaders should operate under a number of considerations/assumptions including (but not limited to):
RESOURCES
Refer to Headquarters, CJTF, and Component guidance for specific information and requirements with regards to operational planning guidance.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides Critical Care Planning-COVID-19 Quick Notes a two-page document which describes operationalization of the concept in three major categories: space, staff, supplies, and provision of critical care.
Planning and Preparation, pg6, Implications of COVID-19 on Surgical Care, p8, DoD COVID-19 PMG v7.0, 03 Mar 2021.
COVID-19 Response and Prevention Planning-Knovel (Elsevier)
DODI 6200.03 Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) Within the DoD, 28 Mar 2019
DODI 6055.17 DoD Emergency Management (EM) Program, Change 3 effective 12 Jun 2019