Community Emergency Response

Community Emergency Preparedness and Response Paper
Lorraine Gambino
NUR 408
June 25, 2013
Beth Edwards

Community Emergency Preparedness and Response Paper
Natural disasters are a part of life and emergency situation occur more frequently than most people believe. After a disaster, how well a community can recover will greatly depend on how well they have been prepared in advance. Preemptive organization of resources and the responsiveness to emergencies can mean the difference between a community’s ability to regroup and recover, and the loss of life. To better understand the preparation for emergencies, a thorough examination and summary of emergency events and health care workers in response to specific key characters’ health issues
Stanhope and Lancaster, (2008) discuss local community health’s responsibility in disaster. In case of an event, state and local health departments in the affected area will be expected to collect data and accurately report the situation, to respond appropriately to any type of emergency, and to ensure the safety of the residents of the immediate area, while protecting those just outside the danger zone. The American Red Cross is an nonprofit organization, which assist people after a disaster by providing immediate, needs such as food, water, clothing and shelter, (What Happens Now, 2008). The Red Cross could have been accessed to help the Neighborhood with the fire danger. American Red Cross, (2010) writes, “The American Red Cross is where people mobilize to help their neighbors-across the street, across the country, and across the world in emergencies” (pg.1 para.1). Other agencies that have the capability to distribute manpower, volunteers, equipment, supplies and financial support are FEMA and the United States Fire Administration (USFA). These volunteers can assist an over-taxed medical system to help triage patients and support medical or other staff. FEMA is a national organization that supports the citizens and first responders to create, maintain, and improve the capability to protect against, prepare, respond, recover, and mitigate all
Public health care teams have partnerships with volunteer agencies as well as law enforcement and government agencies for safety and disaster assistance. Public health care agencies can increase public awareness through programs for disaster preparedness and disaster relief. Through education, the public will help produce response in an organized manner and decreasing mass confusion and panic. Pubic health can also help citizens prepare by conducting mock drills, as well as assisting them put together a personal disaster plan. Public health nurses can also participate by providing education regarding specific ways for individuals and communities to prepare for emergency situations. The public health care agencies, posses the ability to provide information regarding emergency shelters in the surrounding areas and escape routes in the event of an emergency. In the case with the Bley family, public health care teams should have assisted the household by checking on them, assisting with their needs, and providing them with the necessary