Page 207 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

3. The ARC participates with the government in
developing and testing community disaster plans.
4. The ARC identifies and trains personnel for
emergency response.
5. The ARC works with businesses and labor
organizations to identify resources and individuals
for disaster work.
6. The ARC educates the public about ways to prepare
for a disaster.
7. The ARC operates shelters, provides assistance to
meet immediate emergency needs, and provides
disaster health services, including crisis counseling.
8. The ARC handles inquiries from family members.
9. The ARC coordinates relief activities with other
agencies.
10. Nurses are involved directly with the ARC and
assume functions such as managers, supervisors, and
educators of first aid; they also participate in
emergency response plans and disaster relief
programs and provide services, such as blood
collection drives and immunization programs.
C. HAZMAT (hazardous materials) team
1. HAZMAT teams are typically composed of emergency
department health care providers and nursing staff,
because they will be the first individuals to encounter
the potential exposure.
2. Members of HAZMAT teams have been educated on
how to recognize patterns of illness that may be
indicative of nuclear, biological, and chemical
exposure; protocols for pharmacological treatment of
infectious disease agents; availability of
decontamination facilities and personal protective
gear; safety measures; and the methods of responding
to an exposure.
D. Phases of disaster management
1. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
identifies 4 disaster management phases: mitigation,
preparedness, response, and recovery.
2. Mitigation encompasses the following:
a. Actions or measures that can prevent
the occurrence of a disaster or reduce
the damaging effects of a disaster
b. Determination of the community
hazards and community risks (actual
and potential threats) before a disaster
occurs
c. Awareness of available community
resources and community health

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