June 16, 2015

Tuesday, June 16, 6:56 a.m.

Texas Children’s executive leadership and the Emergency Management team are closely monitoring Tropical Disturbance no. 7, which has been upgraded to Tropical Storm Bill. The storm is expected to impact our area by mid-morning as it makes its way inland.  We will continue monitoring the weather throughout the day and reassess the situation this afternoon.

New information

  • Weather update. Tropical Disturbance no. 7 has been upgraded to Tropical Storm Bill. Heavy rainfall and strong winds are expected throughout the Houston area beginning   mid-morning and through Wednesday. The Houston area could experience between 7  to 8 inches of rainfall over a 24-hour period, with the heaviest rain hitting the western part of the city.
  • Inpatient and Outpatient Operations. At this time, we are continuing operations as normal throughout the Texas Children’s system. Leaders will continue to assess staffing needs over the next 24 to 48 hours and will make adjustments accordingly.
    • Please direct Main Campus inpatient calls to the NAC at extension 6-4282.
    • Please direct West Campus inpatient calls to the House Supervisor at extension 7-4700.
    • Some clinics and outpatient areas may delay patient arrivals or have cancellations. Please be patient with and accommodating of these adjustments.

Reminders and previous information

  • Using appropriate judgement. It’s important that we all remain mindful of our obligation to be here to provide uninterrupted care for our patients and their families. By the same token, we want you to be safe. We rely on your judgement in these situations to balance the need for your presence here with our desire to ensure you are not putting yourself in harm’s way.
  • Public transportation. Currently, Metro  is operating normally.   If you are planning to travel to work by Metro bus or rail, ensure you have an alternate means of transportation, as service may be limited this afternoon.
  • Flood doors and Garage Entrances. At this point, there has been no decision to close the flood doors or the garage entrances. They will remain open unless closure is absolutely necessary.
  • Back-up child care and elder care benefit. Backup care for children and elders is available to Texas Children’s employees through Bright Horizons. Click here for details.
  • Hurricane season planning. Ensure your personal emergency preparedness plans are in place, as hurricane season is here. Pack your disaster bag, confirm back-up child care and elder care plans, check emergency supplies, and ensure emergency contact numbers are correct.

Your disaster bag should include: your employee badge, bottled water and non-perishable food, light-weight clothing (including socks and under garments), linens (sleeping bags, sheets, pillows), medications/glasses/contact lenses, cash, phone charger, personal care items and toiletries.

  • Emergency communications. There are several ways to stay connected:
    • Global emails: Texas Children’s Global Alert emails will be sent as needed to provide updates.
    • Connect message: A message on the Connect home page also includes the latest updates.
    • Texaschildrensnews.org: All global alerts are being posted on our external news site,www.texaschildrensnews.org
    • Latest weather, traffic and road conditions are available on the Emergency Management Connect site and the National Weather Service

Please use caution when navigating roadways, and do not drive into flooded areas. Again, thank you for your commitment to caring for our patients and their families.

Judy Swanson, Administrator on call
Amy Puglia, Emergency Management

June 15, 2015

Monday, June 15, 10:05 p.m.

Texas Children’s executive leadership and the Emergency Management team are closely monitoring Tropical Disturbance no. 7, which has been upgraded to Tropical Storm Bill. The storm is expected to impact our area within the next several hours. We will continue monitoring the weather over night and reassess the situation very early in the morning.

New information

  • Weather update. Tropical Disturbance no. 7 has been upgraded to Tropical Storm Bill. Heavy rainfall and strong winds are expected throughout the Houston area beginning tomorrow morning through early Wednesday. Isolated tornados are possible, but it is expected that they will be brief and relatively weak.
  • Inpatient and Outpatient Operations. At this time, we are continuing operations as normal throughout the Texas Children’s system. Leaders will continue to assess staffing needs over the next 24 to 48 hours and will make adjustments accordingly.
    • Please direct Main Campus inpatient calls to the NAC at extension 6-4282.
    • Please direct West Campus inpatient calls to the House Supervisor at extension 7-4700.
    • Some clinics and outpatient areas may delay patient arrivals or have cancellations. Please be patient with and accommodating of these adjustments.

Reminders and previous information

  • Using appropriate judgement. It’s important that we all remain mindful of our obligation to be here to provide uninterrupted care for our patients and their families. By the same token, we want you to be safe. We rely on your judgement in these situations to balance the need for your presence here with our desire to ensure you are not putting yourself in harm’s way.
  • Public transportation. If you are planning to travel to work by Metro bus or rail, ensure you have an alternate means of transportation, as service may be limited tomorrow.
  • Flood doors and Garage Entrances. At this point, there has been no decision to close the flood doors or the garage entrances. They will remain open unless closure is absolutely necessary.
  • Back-up child care and elder care benefit. Backup care for children and elders is available to Texas Children’s employees through Bright Horizons. Click here for details.
  • Hurricane season planning. Ensure your personal emergency preparedness plans are in place, as hurricane season is here. Pack your disaster bag, confirm back-up child care and elder care plans, check emergency supplies, and ensure emergency contact numbers are correct. Your disaster bag should include: your employee badge, bottled water and non-perishable food, light-weight clothing (including socks and under garments), linens (sleeping bags, sheets, pillows), medications/glasses/contact lenses, cash, phone charger, personal care items and toiletries.
  • Emergency communications. There are several ways to stay connected:
    • Global emails: Texas Children’s Global Alert emails will be sent as needed to provide updates.
    • Connect message: A message on the Connect home page also includes the latest updates.
    • Texaschildrensnews.org: All global alerts are being posted on our external news site,www.texaschildrensnews.org
    • Latest weather, traffic and road conditions are available on the Emergency Management Connect site and the National Weather Service

Please use caution when navigating roadways, and do not drive into flooded areas. Again, thank you for your commitment to caring for our patients and their families.

 

Judy Swanson, Administrator on call

Amy Puglia, Emergency Management

Monday, June 15, 3:29 p.m.

Texas Children’s executive leadership and the Emergency Management team are closely monitoring Tropical Disturbance no. 7, which is expected to reach our area within 24 hours.

New information

  • Weather update. Rainfall has begun in isolated areas, and heavy rainfall and tropical storm force winds are expected throughout the area Tuesday morning and afternoon. Isolated tornados are possible, but it is expected that they will be brief and relatively weak.
  • Public transportation. If you are planning to travel to work by Metro bus or rail, ensure you have an alternate means of transportation, as service may be limited beginning later today.
  • Flood doors and Garage Entrances. At this point, there has been no decision to close the flood doors or the garage entrances. They will remain open unless closure is absolutely necessary.
  • Back-up child care and elder care benefit. Backup care for children and elders is available to Texas Children’s employees through Bright Horizons. Click here for details.
  • At-work disaster bag. Your at-work disaster bag should be ready to go with at least three days of essential supplies. It should include: your employee badge, bottled water and non-perishable food, light-weight clothing (including socks and under garments), linens (sleeping bags, sheets, pillows), medications/glasses/contact lenses, cash, phone charger, personal care items and toiletries.
  • Using appropriate judgement. It’s important that we all remain mindful of our obligation to be here to provide uninterrupted care for our patients and their families. By the same token, we want you to be safe. We rely on your judgement in these situations to balance the need for your presence here with our desire to ensure you are not putting yourself in harm’s way.
  • External access to communications. All emergency communications are accessible from any home or work computer, tablet or mobile phone at texaschildrens.org.

Previous information

We are taking all appropriate precautions according to our response plan, and we ask staff and employees to do the same. We urge you to:

  • Prepare for staffing changes, and be flexible with scheduling adjustments. Leaders are assessing staffing for the next 24 to 48 hours and making plans to adjust the schedule should we experience a severe weather event.
    • Some inpatient staff may need to arrive earlier or remain on shift longer. Please direct all inpatient calls to the NAC at extension 6-4282.
    • Also, outpatient areas may delay patient arrivals or have cancellations. Please be patient with and accommodating of these adjustments.
    • Ensure your personal emergency preparedness plans are in place, as hurricane season is here.
    • Review your personal and family preparedness plans. Pack your at-work disaster bag, confirm back-up child care and elder care plans, check emergency supplies, and ensure emergency contact numbers are correct.
  • Stay connected, and pay attention to communications.
    • Global emails: Texas Children’s Global Alert emails will be distributed each morning and afternoon – and more frequently if warranted – to provide updates, so please check your email.
    • Connect message: A scrolling message on the Connect home page also includes the latest updates.
    • Latest weather, traffic and road conditions are available on the Emergency ManagementConnect site and the National Weather Service

Please use caution when navigating roadways, and do not drive into flooded areas. Again, thank you for your commitment to caring for our patients and their families.

Judy Swanson, Administrator on call

Amy Puglia, Emergency Management

Monday, June 15, 11:40 a.m.

Texas Children’s executive leadership and the Emergency Management team are closely monitoring Tropical Disturbance no. 7, which is expected to reach our area within 24 hours. Rainfall is forecasted to begin this evening, with heavy bands of rain throughout the area Tuesday morning and afternoon. Some areas may receive 10 to 14 inches of rain, which subsequently could cause flooding.
We are taking all appropriate precautions according to our response plan, and we ask staff and employees to do the same. We urge you to:
  • Prepare for staffing changes, and be flexible with scheduling adjustments. Leaders are already assessing staffing for the next 24 to 48 hours and making plans to adjust the schedule should we experience a severe weather event.
    • Some inpatient staff may need to arrive earlier or remain on shift longer. Please direct all inpatient calls to the NAC at Ext. 6-4282.
    • Also, outpatient areas may delay patient arrivals or have cancellations. Please be patient with and accommodating of these adjustments.
    • A global email about scheduling and staffing adjustments will be sent around 2 p.m. today.
  • Expect the weather to begin impacting our area as early as tonight, and plan accordingly. Please plan for additional travel time, and identify alternate routes to and from work.
  • Ensure our personal emergency preparedness plans are in place, as hurricane season is here.
    • Make sure that your at-work disaster bag is stocked and ready to go with at least three days of essential supplies. If you have not yet created and brought in your bag, do so as soon as possible, as it is a requirement of all employees.
    • Review your personal and family preparedness plans. Identify back-up child care and elder care plans. Check supplies, and ensure emergency contact numbers are correct.
  • Stay connected, and pay attention to communications.
    • Global emails: Texas Children’s Global Alert emails will be distributed each morning and afternoon – and more frequently if warranted – to provide updates, so please check your email.
    • Connect message: A scrolling message on the Connect home page also includes the latest updates.
    • Latest weather, traffic and road conditions are available on the Emergency Management Connect site and the National Weather Service website.
Please be safe, use caution when navigating roadways, and do not drive into flooded areas. Again, thank you for your commitment to caring for our patients and their families.
Judy Swanson
Administrator on call
Amy Puglia
Emergency Management Services
June 14, 2015

Sunday, June 14, 5:37 p.m.

Texas Children’s leadership and the Department of Emergency Management have been closely monitoring Tropical Disturbance no. 7, which may reach our area within the next couple days, and we are taking all appropriate precautions according to our response plan.

Texas Children’s Emergency Management team is urging employees to pay attention to local media reports concerning weather conditions, as the Houston area may receive significant rainfall with subsequent flooding in the next few days, similar to what our area experienced Memorial Day weekend.
Staff members should be prepared for 1-to-1 replacement if travel conditions are unsafe in and around the Medical Center. Please plan for additional travel time, identify alternate routes, and ensure your personal emergency preparedness plans are in place.
More information, including the latest weather, traffic and road conditions are available on the Emergency Management Connect site and the National Weather Service website.
Emergency Management