การบูรณาการงานป้องกันและควบคุมการแพร่ระบาดโรคติดเชื้อไวรัสโคโรนา 2019 ของคณะกรรมการตอบโต้ภาวะฉุกเฉิน และระบบบัญชาการเหตุการณ์ อำเภอสามง่าม จังหวัดพิจิตร

Abstract

This research aims to study Integration of Work on Preventing and Controlling the Spread of the 2019 Coronavirus Disease of the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) and the Incident Command System (ICS), Sam Ngam District, Phichit Province of two clusters (Village No.4 of Nong Sano Subdistrict and Village No.13 of Sam Ngam Subdistrict). The goal is to know the two clusters’ processes of integration, their similarities, and differences, problems and challenges, as well as to recommend ways to improve the integration process of EOC. The study uses qualitative research methods including documentary research, participant observation, and unstructured in-depth interview with 10 informants. The study finds that the operations of the EOC and ICS for preventing and controlling the spread of COVID-19 in the two clusters have similar steps and procedures, focusing on the integration, coordination, and exchange of data and information among internal work units. However, both clusters vary in terms of spatial context and patterns of disease outbreak, which cause the outbreak response measures of the EOC and ICS to vary as well—e.g., temporary closure of the village. Moreover, the disease outbreak preventive measures in the two clusters are somewhat similar. The research also finds the problems and challenges in the operation of the EOC and ICS, including the people’s fear and panic and lack of knowledge/understanding of the epidemics; the overlapping internal structure of the EOC and ICS, and the shortage of the personnel for effective management. Following the research findings,the study proposes 3 recommendations for improving the operational integration of the EOC and ICS:(1) development of staff’s knowledge, (2) adjustment of the EOC and ICS’s internal structure, and (3) promoting and building accurate understanding among the local people.