NEWS | March 27, 2020

Utah National Guard Medical and Science Officers Join the Utah Economic Response Task Force as Data Analytics and Decision Support Advisory Team

By Sgt. Nathaniel Free Public Affairs Office

Following Governor Herbert’s release yesterday of the Utah Economic Response Task Force Plan, “Utah Leads Together,” the Task Force announced the formation of a cross-disciplinary team of data analytics and subject-matter experts, which included two members of the Utah National Guard, to advise decision-makers in achieving the Plan’s goals.

The two members of the Utah National Guard were Lt. Col. Rob Dent, Medical Officer for the 85th Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team, and Lt. Col. Jared Gailey, Science Officer for the 85th WMD-CST.

According to the Utah National Guard website, the 85th WMD-CST supports civil authorities at a domestic chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and/or high-yield explosives (CBRNE) incident sites by identifying CBRNE agents/substances, assessing current and projected consequences, advising on response measures, and assisting with appropriate requests for additional state support.

The Utah Leads Together plan detailed a three-phase response to COVID-19, reflecting the Governor’s objective of dealing with the pandemic as a threat to both the physical health of Utahns and their economic welfare. To address both, it is critical that a smart and systematic approach be adopted to trace the infected population so that mitigation efforts are not spoiled by more community spread.

“This team is using the best data, science and advice from public health professionals to navigate the phase one urgent stage,” the Governor said in releasing the report. “Health is paramount, and we are equally concerned about the economic welfare of our individuals and families, and this team of cross-disciplinary experts will allow us to focus effectively on both objectives.” 

The assembled team is broad-based with expertise drawn from statistical modeling, epidemiology, healthcare, and the public and private sector. Their main goal is to contain the spread of COVID-19 by reducing the R0 (pronounced R naught) to less than 1 in 8 weeks. This R naught value represents the rate of spread and determines the increase in cases and therefore healthcare breaking point. If R naught stays above one our health care facilities will experience strain.

According to Derek Miller, chairman of the Utah Economic Response Task Force, “The data analytics team will provide decision support for the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget under the direction of the Governor to implement the Utah Leads Together plan including decisions on possible methods for using data to focus the state’s testing, tracing, and isolation/quarantine efforts.”

Sources of data to be incorporated include: testing; hospital capacity and patient outcomes; and citizen symptoms from self-reporting, ports of entry, etc. The team will advise on:

  • Data collection and gathering strategies;
  • Refining the operational simulation model with data based assumptions;
  • Targeting the testing strategy;
  • Identifying constraints and bottlenecks in the operational response; and,
  • Providing decision support to leadership.

The team will meet daily to review an operational dashboard and discuss adjustments to help support decisions—particularly the testing strategy. It will also provide guidance for achieving the following targets as set by the Governor under the plan’s Urgent Phase:

  • Reduce R0 <1 in 8 weeks;
  • Prevent hospitals from running out of ICU or hospital bed capacity;
  • Identify, on average, two infected people through tracing for every positive test;
  • Work to keep the number of people in official quarantine to less than 2% of the population; and,
  • Maintain 8 of 13 counties at < 10 cases (with each case isolated).

Two questions the team intends to answer through data collection and analysis include: 1) Will the plan, under current execution, achieve the Governor’s targets outlined above; and, 2) What other decision calibrations, if any, are needed to achieve those targets.

Aside from the two members of the Utah National Guard, the team of expert contributors include: Adam Looney, Ph.D., Economics, University of Utah; Steve Alder, Ph.D., Health Ecologist, University of Utah; Nate Talley, Budget and Policy Manager, Governor’s Office of Management and Budget; Jonathan Ball, Director, Legislative Fiscal Analyst; John Angus, Deputy Director, Department of Technology Services; Amber Johnston, Senior Project Manager, Department of Technology Services; Michael Friedrichs, Lead Epidemiologist, Utah Department of Health; Jill Parker, Executive Director, Utah Association of Local Health Departments; Albert Martinez, Chief Analytics Officer, Intermountain Healthcare; Nate Murphy, Team Leader, Project Management Expert; Ajai Kapoor, Facilitator, Theory of Constraints Expert; and two representatives from the private sector who wish to contribute anonymously.

Your Career Starts Here

Tips to survive, gifts, family, and mandatory fun
By Keith Garner | Dec. 19, 2023
The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy and celebration, but for some of us, they can also be a source of stress and sadness. Maybe you’re going through a tough time, such as a loss of a loved one, a divorce, a health...

ACUB
Army Compatible Use Buffer A Valued Partnership
By | Nov. 21, 2023
The cities of Saratoga Springs and Herriman joined the Utah National Guard at a small event hosted at Camp Williams on Oct. 4, 2023. The event recognized the immense work and partnership that enabled the purchase of over 10...

Master Sgt. Justin Cordero leads a Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness (resilience) class for Soldiers assigned to the 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade at Camp Williams, Utah, June 2, 2023. Cordero is a Resilience Training Assistant for the 204th. (US Army Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Rich Stowell)
Learning Optimism Is a Battle Drill Soldiers are on the for good stuff.
By | Nov. 21, 2023
Every month, they attend classes where they learn skills like optimism, self-regulation, and mental agility...

2023 Utah National Guard Counterdrug Conference EXSUM
By | Nov. 21, 2023
2023 Utah National Guard Counterdrug Conference exercise summery...

Utah Air National Guard members participate in Arbinger training
Utah Air National Guard participates in Arbinger training
By Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Perez | Nov. 3, 2023
In a classroom at the Utah Air National Guard Base, a group of Servicemembers were asked: What would be possible if you and your organization were more outward?The Servicemembers, with varying levels of rank and professional...

Utah Air National Guard members participate in Arbinger training
Utah Air National Guard participates in Arbinger training
By Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Perez | Nov. 3, 2023
In a classroom at the Utah Air National Guard Base, a group of Servicemembers were asked: What would be possible if you and your organization were more outward?The Servicemembers, with varying levels of rank and professional...

In a significant assumption of command and promotion ceremony held on 14 October 2023, Colonel G. Chris Buckner was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and assumed command of the Utah Air National Guard, also serving as the Assistant Adjutant General for Air of the Utah National Guard.
Brigadier General G. Chris Buckner Assumes Command of the Utah Air National Guard in Prestigious Ceremony
By Master Sgt. Colton Elliott | Oct. 16, 2023
In a significant assumption of command and promotion ceremony held on 14 October 2023, Colonel G. Chris Buckner was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and assumed command of the Utah Air National Guard, also serving as...

204th MEB Soldiers Get Battle Ready for Africom Deployment
By Sgt. 1st Class Rich Stowell | Aug. 22, 2023
 “Contact! Contact!” Soldiers yell out to each other as they begin to take simulated fire from up the hill.It was part of a week-long training event for the 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade at Camp Williams, Utah. They call...

Freedom Academy delegates perform a customized group chant at Camp Williams on the morning of July 20th, 2023. Since 1961 the Utah National Guard and Honorary Colonels Corps have sponsored Freedom Academy, providing a challenging and engaging environment designed to teach high school leaders from across Utah the importance of freedom and highlight the military and governmental functions that are critical to its survival.
Utah National Guard hosts Freedom Academy 2023
By Sgt. Christine Hoskins | July 20, 2023
High school students from across the state of Utah assembled at Camp Williams for a week of learning, honing leadership skills, developing friendships, finding deeper purpose, and solidifying their understanding of freedom,...

Senior Airman Kevin Buckner (middle), fire protection with the 151st Civil Engineering Squadron, Utah National Guard, carries a pineapple while rucking more than six miles for the mystery event during the Region VII Best Warrior Competition on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu, May 7-11, 2023. The Best Warrior Competition is an annual Army-sponsored event designed to measure the Soldier’s physical fitness, mental acuity, and demonstrated skill in warrior tasks and battle drills. The Soldier and Noncommisioned Officer of the Year for the region will advance to the All Guard National Best Warrior Competition in Alaska.
Utah Airman keeps up with region’s top Soldiers at Best Warrior Competition
By Staff Sgt. Jordan Hack | May 12, 2023
Senior Airman Kevin Buckner, a fire protection journeyman with the 151st Civil Engineering Squadron, winner of the Soldier of the Year category at this year’s Utah National Guard Best Warrior Competition, impressed everyone...