Disease Prevention and Control, San Francisco Department of Public Health

Infectious Disease Plan

Infectious Disease Emergency Response (IDER) Plan

Infectious disease emergencies are circumstances caused by biological agents, including organisms such as bacteria, viruses or toxins with the potential for significant illness or death in the population. The Infectious Disease Emergencies Response (IDER) Plan may be used in situations that include naturally occurring outbreaks (e.g., measles, mumps, meningococcal disease), emerging infectious diseases (e.g., SARS, pandemic influenza), and bioterrorism.

Toolkit for Health Departments

San Francisco’s IDER Plan was identified as a national promising practice. To help other health departments prepare, the Plan was transformed into an easy to use Toolkit which includes a user’s guide, template, and training and exercise materials.

The San Francisco Infectious Disease Emergency Response (IDER) Plan is composed of 3 parts:

  • IDER Core Plan. The Core Plan provides guidance to all components of the response and is divided into modules, or chapters, that are based on the organizational chart. The use of modules provides responders with the information they need in short segments (they do not need to read the entire plan to begin implementation); allows for flexibility in response by allowing only required components to be activated without disrupting the flow of the plan; and, provides each module with clear information on their purpose, implementation approach, staffing needs, reporting, and available resources.
  • Situation Specific Annexes. The 4 Annexes are designed to supplement the Core Plan with specific guidance on how to respond to particular events. The content in each Annex should be used in tandem with the general information in the Core Plan.
  • Appendices. The Appendices contain reference material to assist in the response. Examples of appendix items include maps, pre-written Health Alerts, protocols, forms, reference materials, and equipment instructions.

The IDER Plan is compliant with the State Emergency Management System (SEMS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) and is based on the Incident Command System (ICS).

IDER Core Plan

The Entire IDER Core Plan (Feb. 2011)

Organizational Chart (Color Version)

Organizational Overview

Download parts of the plan:

IDER Annex

  1. Respiratory Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (June 2008)
  2. Bioterrorism Event (March 2009)
  3. Biological Agent Detection in the Environment – available by request a. Indoor Sampling Detection – available by request b. Outdoor Sampling Detection – available by request c. Evaluation and Testing of Suspicious Substances or Packages
  4. Waterborne Diseases – not available at this time

IDER Appendix

Appendix Table of Contents (Feb. 2011) Incident Command System (ICS) Forms:

To request additional items detailed in the Appendix Table of Contents please call (415) 554-2830.