NR 442 Week 6 Natural & Man-Made Disasters Overview

NR 442 Week 6 Natural & Man-Made Disasters Overview

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-442 Community Health Nursing

Prof. Name:

Date

Natural and Man-Made Disasters

Vulnerable Populations and Disaster Impact

Disasters, whether natural or human-made, often overwhelm the capacity of affected communities to respond effectively. Vulnerable populations—such as the elderly, individuals with disabilities, low-income groups, and those with limited access to healthcare—are disproportionately impacted. The extent of damage and the number of casualties determine whether an event qualifies as a mass or multiple casualty incident. A mass casualty incident affects over 100 people, while a multiple casualty event involves 2 to 99 individuals. Individuals involved in such incidents can be categorized as direct victims (those physically affected), indirect victims (those affected emotionally or economically), displaced persons (those forced to evacuate), and refugees (those who cross borders for safety).

Disasters are commonly classified into natural, man-made, or combination types. Natural disasters include weather-related events, geological activities like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and disease outbreaks. Man-made disasters encompass armed conflicts, structural failures, industrial accidents, civil unrest, pollution, and terrorism. A hybrid form, known as NA-TECH disasters, occurs when a natural disaster triggers widespread technological hazards, such as chemical spills following an earthquake.

Features of Disasters

Disasters are characterized by several key factors:

Mapping and Resources

Geographic mapping plays a crucial role in disaster preparedness and response. A risk map identifies zones likely to be affected by disasters, while a resource map outlines available emergency support infrastructure, such as shelters and healthcare facilities.

Disaster Management Overview

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Effective disaster management necessitates coordination among various sectors and agencies. A well-structured plan enhances the speed and efficiency of the response, ensuring that resources are adequately allocated and responsibilities are clearly defined among official and unofficial stakeholders.

Government Roles in Emergency Management

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): FEMA’s role is to enhance the nation’s capacity to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. The agency has evolved significantly, especially following major events like Hurricane Katrina. One of its notable contributions is the publication of Are You Ready?, a comprehensive guide for individual and community preparedness.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The CDC focuses on post-disaster public health, including ensuring the safety of food, water, shelter, and medical care.

• American Red Cross: As a congressionally chartered nonprofit, the Red Cross plays a central role in providing relief, promoting preparedness, and supporting recovery operations.

Phases of Emergency Management

Disaster management operates through four primary phases:

1. Prevention

Prevention involves proactive measures to minimize risks and mitigate damage before disasters occur. It includes identifying hazards using risk maps, public education campaigns, and strategic planning. At the individual and community levels, efforts focus on reducing vulnerabilities and planning for potential scenarios.

2. Preparedness

Preparedness encompasses actions taken before a disaster strikes to ensure readiness. Individuals and families are encouraged to:

• Receive first aid training
• Assemble emergency supply kits
• Identify meeting locations away from home
• Establish communication plans

Preparedness also includes coordination of evacuation procedures, authority roles, and communication strategies.

NR 442 Week 6 Natural & Man-Made Disasters Overview

3. Response

The response phase begins immediately after the onset of a disaster. It may involve shelter-in-place protocols, evacuation, search and rescue operations, and triage.

Mnemonic: “30 & 2 CAN DO”

• Respirations: 30
• Perfusions: Capillary refill < 2 seconds
• Mental Status: Can follow commands

START (Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment) and SALT (Sort, Assess, Lifesaving interventions, Treatment/Transport) systems are used to manage triage efficiently. Ensuring scene safety is the first priority to avoid additional casualties, including emergency responders.

4. Recovery

Recovery begins while the response is still underway and continues long after the immediate crisis has passed. The focus is on rebuilding infrastructure, restoring services, and supporting emotional and financial recovery for survivors. This phase also includes evaluating the response to improve future planning.

Community Response and Psychological Impact

Communities experience disasters through distinct psychological and emotional phases:

Psychological effects, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are common and can have lasting impacts on individuals and communities. Support services should be available to assist in emotional recovery.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Emergency preparedness and response. Retrieved from https://emergency.cdc.gov

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (n.d.). Are you ready? An in-depth guide to citizen preparedness. Retrieved from https://www.ready.gov

Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2020). Public health nursing: Population-centered health care in the community (10th ed.). Elsevier.

NR 442 Week 6 Natural & Man-Made Disasters Overview

U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (n.d.). National response framework. Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/national-preparedness/frameworks/response