Page 315 - fourth year book

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

According to application of nursing process:

1. Assess the community

 Assessment - the local climate conducive for disaster occurrence,
past history of disasters in the community, available community

disaster plans and resources, personnel available in the community
for the disaster plans and management, local agencies and

organizations involved in the disaster management activities,

availability of health care facilities in the community etc.

2. Diagnose community disaster threats

 Determine the actual and potential disaster threats (eg; explosions,
mass accidents, tornados, floods, earthquakes etc).

3. Community disaster planning

 Develop a disaster plan to prevent or deal with identified disaster
threats

 Identify local community communication system

 Identify disaster personnel, including private and professional
volunteers, local emergency personnel, agencies and resources

 Identify regional back up agencies and personnel

 Identify specific responsibilities for various personnel involved in
the disaster plans

 Set up an emergency medical system and chain for activation

 Identify location and accessibility of equipment and supplies

 Check proper functioning of emergency equipments

 Identify outdated supplies and replenish for appropriate use.

4. Implement disaster plans
 Focus on primary prevention activities to prevent occurrence of

manmade disasters
 Practice community disaster plans with all personnel carrying out
their previously identified responsibilities (e.g.: emergency triage ,

providing supplies such as food, water, medicine, crises and grief
counseling)

 Practice using equipment; obtaining and distributing supplies

284