The California Wildfire of 2018 also called the “Camp Fire” was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California’s history and the most expensive natural disaster in the world in 2018 in terms of insured losses. Named after Camp Creek Road, its place of origin, the fire started on Thursday, November 8, 2018, in Northern California’s Butte County. Ignited by a faulty electric transmission line, the fire originated above several communities and an east wind drove the fire downhill through developed areas. The fire caused at least 85 civilian fatalities, with one person still missing as of August 2, 2019, and injured 12 civilians, two prison inmate firefighters, and three other firefighters. It covered an area of 153,336 acres, and destroyed 18,804 structures, with most of the destruction occurring within the first four hours.

Adventist Health Feather River, also known as Feather River Hospital, is a 101-bed acute care hospital located in the town of Paradise, in Butte County, California, with a wide array of outpatient departments and services designed to meet the health care needs of Paradise, Magalia, and neighboring communities. Feather River Hospital was severely damaged in the November 2018 Camp Fire and is currently closed. The hospital was forced to evacuate after the fire jumped a road going to the hospital. Some people were trapped under the Adventist Health Feather River in a tunnel until they could escape. Employees at Adventist Health Feather River evacuated 60 patients the morning of November 8, 2018. The patients were transported in ambulances, by helicopter, and in employee vehicles.

What went well with the response?
What were the significant challenges with the response?
In which ways could the response have been improved?
During Week One, we discussed Fayol’s Five Functions of Management: (a) Planning, (b) organizing, (c) coordinating, (d) commanding, and (e) controlling. As the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Adventist Health Feather River Hospital, how would you augment your healthcare facility’s disaster preparedness? Discuss which ways you would utilize Fayol’s Fourth Function of Management, commanding into enhancing your facilities’ disaster preparedness, response, and continuity of operations (COOP) plan.