Pre-deployment processes, including the pre-deployment briefing, Just-in-time (JIT) training and equipping the team, are discussed in more detail in the RRT General Guidance, Section 4.3 3. Given the concerns for COVID-19 transmission, additional pre-deployment processes may include addressing concerns associated with COVID-19 responders through counseling and the provision of sensitization materials for family members and the community 11, 12. Additionally, a medical pre-deployment screening may be instituted to ensure RRT members do not have underlying medical conditions that might put them at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 9. Additionally, if not instituted as part of an RRT readiness process in the Non-Emergency Phase, if the RRT member will require a respirator, they should have an initial fit test for the appropriate model/style/size respirator as dictated by local, national and/or international guidance 13 .

Pre-Deployment Briefing

The purpose of the pre-deployment briefing is to provide situational awareness including the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak and response to deploying RRT members so that they can be effective and safe in the field. Considering COVID-19 transmission, this can be done remotely but often occurs in person due to the need to equip the RRT around the same time as well as confirming the RRT members can properly don and doff personal protective equipment (PPE) 14 . The following information can be considered for inclusion in a COVID-19 pre-deployment briefing:

  • General information about the status of the outbreak:
  • Latest COVID-19 surveillance data and/or situation reports. This may include local/country specific reports as well as:
  • Previous response efforts prior to the RRT deployment including any RRT debriefings from previous teams returning from the field or reports from local public health authorities
  • Standardized tools and equipment to use in the field (3 Equipping the team), such as:
    • COVID-19 case investigation forms (WHOpdf icon, CDCpdf icon)
    • Analytic software (e.g. Microsoft Excel©, Epi Info, Go.Dataexternal icon, etc.)
    • COVID-19 laboratory sample collection methods Table 2
    • COVID-19 media materials for the community and healthcare facilities (e.g. pamphlets, posters, etc.) Table 2
    • Local, national, and international guidelines
    • Reporting mechanisms identifying the leadership structure and communication responsibilities at all levels. For example, daily RRT reporting by the team leader to the emergency coordination unit (i.e., a public health emergency management program using an Incident Management System or country-equivalent system)
    • Objectives that are clear and well-defined and lead to concrete activities in the field (Table 3)
    • Indicators or metrics for measuring response effectiveness (Table 3)
    • Update on current safety and security situation, including emergency evacuation plans as well as the following for COVID-19:
      • Practicing proper hand hygiene and wearing of PPE as directed can be included as an activity for all RRT members 14, 15
      • RRT member self-monitoring protocol including how to monitor for signs and symptoms, frequency of checking (e.g. daily fever checks), how this should be documented and guidance on who to report to if they become ill (e.g. medical clinic, RRT leadership, etc.) 16
    • It is Important to highlight resilience information including appropriate protective strategies (e.g. peer support systems and healthy sleeping habits) and available resources to support the mental and behavioral health of the RRT team members while in the field 17, 18, 19
  • CDC’s Emergency Responders: Tips for taking care of yourself

Just-in-time Training

JIT training provides technical information, such as biological and epidemiologic characteristics of the COVID-19 transmission as well as role-specific pertinent information for COVID-19. Considering COVID-19 transmission, JIT training can be provided as e-learning modules, quick webinars, or as reference materials to be reviewed remotely or en route to the field if time does not allow for a more formal training. If the pre-deployment is occurring in-person, JIT training can be provided simultaneously.

CDC is assisting the WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme on the creation of online, open-access COVID-19 RRT specific training materialsexternal icon that can be adapted to a country’s COVID-19 response context. Once finalized, these trainings will include COVID-19 technical modules on IPC, active case finding and contact tracing, RRT composition and roles, occupational safety and health, data management, environmental cleaning, laboratory sample management, and risk communications and community engagement 20, 21 .

There are several other global initiatives for compiling and developing COVID-19 training materials for RRTs. Although the external trainings are not officially endorsed by CDC, they are included here to illustrate the breadth of resources available to be adapted for a COVID-19 RRT JIT training. Some examples include (in alphabetical order):

Maintaining an up-to-date resource database for JIT trainings can save time and effort in deploying a COVID-19 RRT. Table 2 highlights some open-access JIT trainings relevant to a COVID-19 RRT sorted by role. The external trainings are not officially endorsed by CDC but are provided to illustrate examples of materials that may be useful prior to deployment or while in transit. As trainings may become obsolete over time, updated guidance may supersede the trainings presented below.



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