Three phases of a disaster
Preparedness
•Planning before it happens
–Cheapest & easiest method
–Mitigation of hazards
•Cutting brush
•Securing water heaters
•Changing building codes & techniques
–Reason our earthquakes are less damaging than other places
–Training and Stockpiling supplies
•Mitigation & Preparedness
•Plans
•Policies
•Procedures
Response
•Meeting immediate needs directly after the event
–Food, water, shelter, immediate health care
–“Disasters only last 3 days”
•After 3 days outside help should arrive
–Comfort & survival directly related to level of preparedness
•Response
–Safety of personnel, patients, & facilitiy
–Triage, Treatment, & Transfer
–Establish Business Continuity
Recovery
•Putting things back to normal
–Most expensive phase $$$
–May last for many YEARS
•Rebuilding structures
•Rebuilding “lives”
–Includes planning and changes to avoid next one
–Mitigation & preparedness
•Recovery
•Operational/Business Recovery
•Financial Recovery
•Restoration of “Normal” operations
Response Standing Objectives
Patient care / Personnel Support / Community Implications
- Ensure immediate safety of CCHC occupants:patients, staff and visitors
- Respond to health care needs of disaster victims
- Maintain essential healthcare services or restore themas rapidly as possible
- Provide accurate information to clients
- Perform other emergency roles if resources are available
- Assist community to return to normal status
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
•FOOD & WATER SAFETY
–Basic health industry responsibility
–Performed under adverse conditions
•Food storage w/o refrigeration
•Boil water orders
•Toileting under adverse conditions
–Involves public education & teaching
–Prevent epidemics before they start
•HAZ-MAT
–Ruptured & spilled sources
–Information about avoidance & treatment
•Needed information can be obtained through command & control communication channels
•WASTE MANAGEMENT
–Solid, liquid, haz-mat
–Not directly handled by health providers but . . .
–Normal functions are provided under adverse conditions
•Alternate disposal sites & procedures
–Information & advice handled through command & control mechanisms