CH. 8 Emergency Preparedness Flashcards
Disaster Prevention (mitigation)
> includes activities to prevent natural and man-made disasters, such as increasing surveillance, improving inspections and airport security, and strengthening public health processes such as immunizations, isolation, and quarantine
> strengthening levees/barriers preventing communicable disease transmission are also components
> Community’s threats, vulnerabilities, and capabilities are determined, as are the demographics of community members
> also includes identification and assessment of populations at risk (those with fewer resources or less of an ability to withstand and survive)
(these populations tend to be physically isolated, disabled, or unable to access disaster services.)
Disaster Management Cycle
disaster prevention
disaster preparedness
disaster response
disaster recovery
disaster preparedness
- occurs at the national, state, and local levels. Personal and family preparedness are crucial components
Professional preparedness for civil service and health care are also crucial - should stem from threats and vulnerabilities identified in the prevention level. Should coordinate community efforts as well as outline specific roles of local agencies
- includes preparedness for natural or man-made
- individual and family preparedness include creating an action plan and determining alternative methods of communications, highlighting possible evacuation routes, identifying local and distant meeting places, and creating disaster kits
- setting up a communication protocol. Should provide for access to emergency agencies, such as the American Red Cross and state and federal gov.
- drills replicate possible scenarios in the local area and enhance preparedness of comm members, gov. agencies, hc facilities, and businesses
Disaster Response
National Incident Management System (NIMS) provides structure for managing disasters. Goal is to have effective communication and a clear chain of command
- Different agencies, gov and non-gov are responsible for different levels of disaster response.
Federal Emergency. Management Agency (FEMA), CDC, U.S. Dep. of Homeland Security (DHS), American Red Cross, Office of Emergency Management (OEM), and public health system - includes an initial assessment of the span of the disaster
__ how many people?
__ how many are injured/dead?
__ how much water and food?
__ areas of risk or sanitation problems? - classified according to type, level, and scope
- if federal emergency declared –> National Response Framework (NRF) is activated and provides direction for an organized, effective national ressponse
Disaster Recovery
begins when danger no longer exists and needed representatives and agencies are available to assist w rebuilding
lasts until economic and civil life of community are restored (days, weeks, years)
individual level- time it takes the individual to become functional within the community
communicable disease and sanitation controls are important aspects of disaster recovery
PTSD and delayed stress reactions (DSR) are common during the aftermath of disasters and can affect caregivers and victims
Phases of emotional reaction during a disaster
Heroic
Honeymoon
Disillusionment
Reconstruction
Heroic
Honeymoon
Heroic- intense excitement and concern for survival. often a rush of assistance from outside area
honeymoon- affected individuals begin to bond and relive their experiences
disillusionment
responders can experience depression and exhaustion. Phase contains unexpected delays in receiving aid
reconstruction
involves adjusting to a new reality and continued rebuilding of the area. Counseling is sometimes needed. affected begin looking ahead
Risk assessment in emergency preparedness
? what are populations at risk?
? have there been previous disasters?
? what size of an area or population is likely to be affected in a worst-case scenario?
? what is the community disaster plan?
? what kind of warning system is in place?
? what types of disaster response teams are in place?
? what kinds or resource facilities are available?
? what type of evacuation measures will be needed?
?what type of environmental dangers (chemical plants, sewage displacement) can be involved
Disaster kits
should include;
at least 3 days supply of food
water
medication
clothing
hygiene items per peron
copies of personal documents
first aid supplies
evaluation of disaster response
- evaluate the area, effect, and level of disaster
- create ongoing assessment and surveillance reports
- evaluate the efficiency of the disaster response teams
- estimate the length of time for recovery of community services, such as electricity and running potable water
Agents of Bioterrorism
! category A
! category B
! category C
Category A Biological Agents
- highest priority agents!!!
- pose a risk to national security because they are easily transmitted and have HIGH mortality rates
- ex. smallpox, botulism, anthrax, tularemia, viral hemorrhagic fevers (ebola), plague
Cat. B Biological Agents
- second-highest priority because they are moderately easy to disseminate, and have high morbidity rates and low mortality rates
- ex. typhus fever, ricin toxin, diarrheagenic E. coli, and West Nile virus
