Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response
Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response
Crystal Lusk
Walden University
Family, Community, and Population-Based Care
4011-12
March 19, 2014
Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response
A disaster is an event that is a natural or man-made occurrence that can disrupt or destroy the lives of those it affects (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2014). Management of a disaster includes four phases; prevention, preparedness, response and recovery (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2014). Hawaii’s isolation in the pacific lends itself to the possibility of many disasters from; floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, pandemics, and volcano eruptions (Schaefers, 2014). The purpose of this paper is to study emergency preparedness and response to flooding in Hawaii, and the role of the professional nurse in such a disaster.
The Role of the Nurse
There is a propensity for flooding in Hawaii due to heavy rains, tsunamis and hurricanes. Due to the isolation of the island, community measures must be taken to become self-sufficient and prepared for recovery from a disaster. Flash floods in Hawaii can occur anytime and are recorded most during the wet season which runs October thru April ("Flash Floods," n.d.). “Flooding is the leading cause of direct weather deaths in the state of Hawaii” ("Flash Floods," n.d., para. 2).
Public Health Nurses (PHN) serve a vital role in the mitigation or prevention of disasters (Baack & Alfred, 2013). In order for nurses to assist in disaster preparedness they should be prepared themselves by addressing their own needs for safety, and by practicing self-health (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2014). The unique role of the PHN in a disaster includes being first responders and triaging the injured, ongoing surveillance of the emergency, rapid needs assessment, and skills in communication to provide the community with accurate and timely information (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2014). The need for increased nursing support during a disaster is much greater than
Crystal Lusk
Walden University
Family, Community, and Population-Based Care
4011-12
March 19, 2014
Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response
A disaster is an event that is a natural or man-made occurrence that can disrupt or destroy the lives of those it affects (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2014). Management of a disaster includes four phases; prevention, preparedness, response and recovery (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2014). Hawaii’s isolation in the pacific lends itself to the possibility of many disasters from; floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, pandemics, and volcano eruptions (Schaefers, 2014). The purpose of this paper is to study emergency preparedness and response to flooding in Hawaii, and the role of the professional nurse in such a disaster.
The Role of the Nurse
There is a propensity for flooding in Hawaii due to heavy rains, tsunamis and hurricanes. Due to the isolation of the island, community measures must be taken to become self-sufficient and prepared for recovery from a disaster. Flash floods in Hawaii can occur anytime and are recorded most during the wet season which runs October thru April ("Flash Floods," n.d.). “Flooding is the leading cause of direct weather deaths in the state of Hawaii” ("Flash Floods," n.d., para. 2).
Public Health Nurses (PHN) serve a vital role in the mitigation or prevention of disasters (Baack & Alfred, 2013). In order for nurses to assist in disaster preparedness they should be prepared themselves by addressing their own needs for safety, and by practicing self-health (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2014). The unique role of the PHN in a disaster includes being first responders and triaging the injured, ongoing surveillance of the emergency, rapid needs assessment, and skills in communication to provide the community with accurate and timely information (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2014). The need for increased nursing support during a disaster is much greater than
References: Baack, S., & Alfred, D. (2013, September 1, 2013). Nurses’ preparedness and perceived competence in managing disasters. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 45(3), 281-287. http://dx.doi.org/http://dx.doi.org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1111/jnu.12029 Department of Emergency Management: Flash flood preparedness. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.honolulu.gov/demresources/printabledisasterpamphlets.html Flash floods in Hawaii: Event statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/pages/weather_hazards_stats.pdf Prepare Hawaii for an Emergency: Hawaii Medical Reserve Corps. (2014). Retrieved from http://health.hawaii.gov/docd/php/hawaii-medical-reserve-corps/ Schaefers, A. (2014). How prepared is Hawaii for a disaster? Retrieved from http://insurancenewsnet.com/print.aspx?id=471430 Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2014). Public Health Nursing: Population-Centered Health Care in the Community (8th ed.). Maryland Heights, MO: Elsevier.