Premium Essay

Community Emergency Paper

In:

Submitted By kaw22
Words 1887
Pages 8
Neighborhood Community Emergency
NUR408
July 8, 2013

Community Emergency Preparedness and Response Paper
Emergency preparedness is an important procedure that is needed to protecting or limiting the amount of injuries or death caused by either natural or manmade disasters of citizens in any community. The purpose of this paper is to show the importance of community emergency preparedness, and events that can occur if there is a lack of preparedness and planning. This paper will demonstrate and summarize the actions of health care workers, steps taken, and needed to reduce risk factors, the role of public health agencies, and the community’s involvement to assist with their own safety. For example, did city officials prepare the residents of the neighborhood adequately? What is required to handle a wildfire emergency? What other public health agencies could have assisted with this emergency and how would this affect the outcome of the wildfire at the neighborhood forest? Wikipedia defines (“Emergency,” n.d.) as, “A situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or environment.” Emergency preparedness involves interventions to prevent situations from becoming worse. Identifying potential risk factors is the key for communities to devise an effective emergency plan to decrease the potential for increase injuries or death. How a community recovers from a disaster is just as important as the preparations taken to minimize the effects of that particular emergency or threat.
The neighborhood community has a forest located along the banks of the Neighborhood River with a population of 64,000 residents. The past five days firefighters are trying to control a wildfire west of the forest, which is raging out of control, and is not contained because of the early windy season that is causing destruction of acres of

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Community Emergency Preparedness and Response Paper

...Community Emergency Preparedness and Response Paper NUR/408 April 2, 2012 University of Phoenix Community Emergency Preparedness and Response Paper Firefighters cannot contain a forest fire that has been blazing for five days. The risk of the fire is not life-threaten but citizens are encouraged to remain indoors unless necessary to leave home because of the smoky winds. The smoke from the fire is affecting many of the residents in the community, especially those with preexisting lung diseases. The local hospital is full and the emergency room is over crowed. Patients are in need of beds in the hospital. The entire staff is stressed and pressed to discharge patients quickly to make room for patients holding in the emergency room. In addition nursing staff is required to work overtime to meet the needs of the community. Next, the Neighborhood Senior Nursing Clinic has seen more seniors than usual this week because of the smoky winds. Many of the seniors have needed to use their oxygen more often than usual this week. The seniors have been advised by the nurse Karen at the Neighborhood Senior Nursing Clinic to stay indoors to avoid respiratory irritants. Unfortunately, there had been an increase in seniors coming to the clinic in the past couple of years related to lack of extracurricular activities available to seniors in the community. After that a second grade student at the neighborhood school was sent to the school nurse because of difficulty breathing. She was noted...

Words: 1912 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Community Emergency Preparedness

...Community Emergency Preparedness and Response Paper Kelly M. White NUR/408 August 10, 2015 Amy Reagan Community Emergency Preparedness and Response The terms “preparedness” and“readiness” can be used interchangeably. Preparedness is defined as the existence of plans, procedures, policies, training, and equipment necessary at the Local, State, and Federal level to maximize the ability to prevent, respond to, and recover from major events (Katz, 2013). Emergency preparedness is essential in assisting with disasters and emergent issues that happen around the world. Media coverage of disasters across the globe occur in real time with an intensity level that makes one believe that natural or manmade disasters happen more frequently. Disasters, in all forms, is a part of life and how we deal with these events depends on how well we are prepared. It is of the utmost importance that all of the population be aware of what to do and who to contact when an event is about to happen or while it is unfolding. A community’s ability to recover and be self-reliant after a disaster also depends on how well the community prepares for and responds to these emergencies. This paper will discuss and examine how the resources and people of the chosen neighborhood responded to the emergency at hand, a forest fire ravaging for more than 5 days (Neighborhood 2.0-News). The Neighborhood There is an uncontained forest fire that has been burning for more than 5 days in a forest west of the Neighborhood...

Words: 2744 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Special Operations for Emergency Medical Personnel

...CAPABILITY OF EMERGENCY SERVICES TO REACT TO DISATERS Devon Clemons American Military University 12 February 2015 Abstract Every day throughout United States, thousands of emergency personnel respond to various types emergencies both natural and man-made. Such disasters pose significant problems for emergency managers and emergency response personnel as well as the medical facilities that treat them. At a moment’s notice, medical facilities can become overwhelmed after a disaster from people seeking medical attention. The key to success is information sharing and management among these responding organizations during and after a disaster. The idea of sharing information does not occur overnight, the plan should be implemented before any disaster occurs. Many of the issues responders face range from a lack of preparedness and training of emergency responders to a lack of communication. Disaster readiness remains uneven across the United States especially in small cities or rural areas and without significant disaster preparedness many emergency responders or emergency facilities such as hospitals or clinics remain unprepared for natural disasters. As a result, many facilities may be unprepared to accept and care for an influx of patients as a result of a terrorist attacks, chemical spills, and natural disasters. This paper will explore problems emergency responders may face during disasters due to a lack readiness and preparedness. In addition, this paper will provide...

Words: 2563 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Comparison Paper

...Community Emergency Preparedness and Response Nur 408 March 5, 2012 Sandi Wheeler Community Emergency Preparedness and Response A disaster, whether natural or man-made, generates several emotions, illnesses, and losses. When a community is confronted with a disaster, such as a forest fire, they rely on an emergency preparedness plan for structure and guidance. With this emergency situation, the community is facing the potential of an out-of-control forest fire. Officials contend the fire is currently contained; however, winds are steadily increasing putting this community at risk for disaster. This fire has already burned numerous acres and is on the fifth day of burning (The Neighborhood News, n.d.). The air in the community is now thick with pollutants and smoke which is affecting many individual’s respiratory track. The Neighborhood News, a local newspaper, recommends individuals remain indoors until conditions improve in the community (Neighborhood News, n.d.). The paper also states community members will be given notice if the burn pattern of the fire changes with the winds (Neighborhood News, n.d.). Community emergency preparedness is essential for dynamic responses in life threatening situations. One the front line of defense is the public health department for community disasters (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2008). “The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 addressed the need to enhance public health and health care readiness...

Words: 2028 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Emergency Preparedness Paper-Nur408

...Community Emergency Preparedness & Response Paper NUR 408 March 25, 2013 Community Emergency Preparedness & Response Paper Media coverage of disasters across the globe come in real time and with intensity that one would believe that natural or manmade disasters happens more frequently, affecting thousands if not millions of lives. People prepare for the worst such as buying premium insurance to decrease the anxiety but still expecting the best. Disasters in all form is part of life and how we deal with these events depend on how prepared we are. A communities ability to get back on its feet and be self reliant after a disaster will be decided by how well the community prepare and responds to these emergencies. In the neighborhood we will discuss and examine how the resources and people responded to the emergency- a forest fire which have raged on for the last 5 days. We will discuss the hospital, senior center, school and the Bley household and how the emergency affected their life. We will then identify the types of public health agencies such as the local, state, and national that could be called upon to respond to emergencies. The Neighborhood The town is situated along a river and located west of a forest with a population of 64,200 of which one-third are elderly. A wildfire have started in the forest and has spread and destroyed several acres of land. The fire has been raging on for the last five days that has the community mobilizing its resources to assist...

Words: 1800 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Community Emergency Preparedness and Response

...Community Emergency Preparedness and Response Paper In this paper the subjects to discuss are newspaper articles and scenarios given in season two, episode five of Pearson Health Science Neighborhood in the course materials section of University of Phoenix student Website. A fire began in the Neighborhood community and the residents developed respiratory problems related to the smoke. The fire is not contained even after five days (Pearson health science, 2011). The community needs an emergency preparedness and response plan. Local, state, and national public health agencies such as the Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and local and state EMS should have participated in this emergency situation. Summary of event Neighborhood is a community located near a forest and along the bank of the river with a population of 64, 200 residents. A forest fire has been raging for five days and is nearing the town of Neighborhood, destroying numerous acres of land. Firefighters are battling to obtain control of the forest fire, whereas the health care workers are battling to keep the patients breathing. The seniors are coming to the senior center clinic with breathing problems, and the hospital is overcrowded with patients with breathing issues. The hospital has shortage of staffs and the quality of care is law. The city officials are urging the citizens to stay indoors and not to go out unless it is necessary because winds are blowing the smoke toward the town...

Words: 1943 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Emergency Planning Process

...The emergency planning process can be difficult to accomplish and can have resistance from the local officials, the local policy process, and budgeting. Aside from the difficulties with the emergency planning process, the emergency plan can also encounter issues, especially, when taking into consideration the different groups that make up the community it is created for. The emergency plan must ensure preparedness for all groups within the population, however, one particular group is often overlooked during the planning process. This group is known as the special health-care needs (SHCN) community. In Nick et al. (2009), this group is defined as the at-risk individuals, vulnerable population, or special needs population whose circumstances...

Words: 1614 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Community Preparedness and Response

...Community Preparedness and Response NUR/408 Community Preparedness and Response This paper discusses The Neighborhood - Pearson Health Science season two, episode five at the University of Phoenix student website. The examination of the actions of health care workers in response to the health concerns of key characters will be highlighted including the community hospital, senior center, school, and the Bley household. The role of the preparedness of the public health agencies, who initially responded to the community emergency, and who should monitor the effects on the community health will be assessed. Identification of how public health care teams can enhance the citizens’ preparedness for emergencies will be explored as well as suggestions to improve personal preparedness in a similar community emergent event. The Neighborhood The Neighborhood has a population of 64,200 including all ages from zero to over 90 years-old. An uncontrolled forest fire has been burning for over five days. As firefighters battle the fire, city officials state the community is not in any danger. However, the thick smoke is covering the town. The healthcare workers are working hard to treat people of the community with chronic lung problems (Pearson Health Science, 2009). Hospital The local hospital is a 362 inpatient bed facility (Pearson Health Science, 2009). The raging fire has the emergency room and local offices seeing an increase of patients suffering breathing problems...

Words: 2133 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

Davis County, Utah Community Assesment Hat Task 1

...This paper contains information on the assessment of Davis County, Utah. To give you a small image in your mind to start with; Utah has the youngest population, the most households consisting of married couples with children, the most stay at home moms, 2nd highest fertility rate and is mostly white. The following is a map of Davis County. Population of Davis County as of 2012 was 315,809. The majority of the population is male with a male to female ratio of 50.2:49.8. Davis County is a predominately white area with 93.2% of the population being white. The average age of the Davis County population is 26.8. The average household income is 69,147. The unemployment rate in 2010 was 5.3%. 6.6% of the population lives in poverty. The current amount of college students is 14,267. 1,758 people received SS in 2006. There were 5,590 births and 1,211 deaths in 2012. The primary language in this county is English. Meaning this is a population of young white people. 92.1% of this population is LDS. The LDS church creates a culture itself. With such a high percentage practicing the same religion, many of the members of this county have a similar, conservative life style. This culture views health as something very important. The LDS church has something called the word of wisdom, which advises against alcohol and drugs. Due to the word of wisdom many people turn to prescription medication. This is how many people deal with anxiety, stress and depression in Davis...

Words: 1154 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

The Reply Configuration Paper

...In the state of Phoenix Arizona, in the late 60’s within a fire chief’s meeting, they formed an incident command system. That helps govern their response to any disaster, which could be natural or manmade. The incident command system created to aid in reducing the communication dilemmas with establishing terminology. To assist in creating a hierarchy structure to recognize the person in power, what is required, as well as the individuals anticipated to keep updating society of the crisis. They found helpful with reducing panic, to keep control within the incident. In this paper, it will discuss the response command configuration, appropriate staff or locations, Information staff, Scenario-base instruction, and conclusion. Response framework can help critical situations, like disasters. Command response configuration The portrayal within the incident command system normally has a single incident commander, which they control the plan of action also the ultimate decision-making abilities. The management personnel whom they report to the incident command comprise of a safety officer, which they observe safety situations, creates strategies for assuring the safety every staff member also the public. An officer of public information, they are the source information for everybody that is a crisis victim. The public information officer also serves as a liaison to the media, by them answering on inquiries, addressing rumors aiding, to keep the public alert of...

Words: 1903 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Writing Essay Fema

...Fundamentals of Emergency Management Independent Study 230.a January 14, 2010 FEMA COURSE OVERVIEW Unit 1: Course Introduction Introduction How to Complete This Course Unit 1 Objectives Course Objectives Case Study: Tornado in Barneveld, Wisconsin Your Place in the Emergency Management System Case Study: Hazardous Chemical Release Activity: Where Do I Fit? Unit 2: Overview of the Principles of Emergency Management and the Integrated Emergency Management System Introduction and Unit Overview FEMA Mission and Purpose Response Authorities History Principles of Emergency Management Recent Changes to Emergency Planning Requirements Why an Integrated Emergency Management System? Emergency Management Concepts and Terms Partners in the Coordination Network Activity: Partners in the Coordination Network Emergency Management in Local Government Activity: Where Is Emergency Management in My Community? Unit 3: Incident Management Actions Introduction and Unit Overview Introduction to the Spectrum of Incident Management Actions Prevention Preparedness Response Activity: Response Operations Recovery Mitigation Unit 4: Roles of Key Participants Introduction and Unit Overview The Role of the Local Emergency Program Manager State Emergency Management Role How the Private Sector and Voluntary Organizations Assist Emergency Managers Federal Emergency Management Role The National Response Framework Activity: Emergency Management...

Words: 35531 - Pages: 143

Premium Essay

Responding in Crises: a Comparative Analysis of Disaster Responses Between Mainland China and Taiwan

...Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Volume 9, Issue 1 2012 Article 31 Responding in Crises: A Comparative Analysis of Disaster Responses between Mainland China and Taiwan Chun-Chieh MA, National University of Tainan, Harvard University Recommended Citation: MA, Chun-Chieh (2012) "Responding in Crises: A Comparative Analysis of Disaster Responses between Mainland China and Taiwan," Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management: Vol. 9: Iss. 1, Article 31. ©2012 De Gruyter. All rights reserved. Authenticated | bee_and_tom@hotmail.com Download Date | 9/16/12 10:06 AM Responding in Crises: A Comparative Analysis of Disaster Responses between Mainland China and Taiwan Chun-Chieh MA Abstract The management of crisis events involves activity at the organizational and governmental jurisdiction levels and is comprised of an integrated system of practice and structure. However, because there are two systems involved in crisis response, namely centralization and decentralization of disaster management, there are differences in governmental actions in response to crisis events. This article analyzes and compares the actions of disaster responses undertaken by mainland China and Taiwan when faced with major natural disasters in order to demonstrate the different response results and defects of centralized and decentralized crisis response systems, respectively. The results showed that the efficiency of decentralized response systems is higher than...

Words: 5900 - Pages: 24

Premium Essay

Task 4

...HAT 1 Task 4 Disaster in Franklin Country Community Health Practice Western Governors University Role of Major Public Health Personnel The County Public Health Director would most likely be asked give the media information during a disaster. It is important that the County Public Health Director calms the public and only says things that are true and confirmed. The County Public Health Director attends incident command briefings. There, he or she will discuss questions and important matters related to the disaster with the rest of the team. The County Public Health Director will lead the public health department in identifying the needs of the public, and determine if there are any other concerns like food and water safety and sanitation. He or she will also form a public health incident command system, and will designate different officers based on the skills and experience of the people available. The Public Information Officer collaborates with other team member to assure that proper information is being distributed to the public. The Finance Chief is responsible for making sure the right financial contracts are in place and organized pertaining to the disaster. The Logistics Chief is responsible for making sure different supplies and equipment are acquired to get various jobs done. The Operations Chief organizes and assigns tactical filed resources. The Planning Chief is...

Words: 1165 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Disaster Preparedness

...A disaster is generally defined as an event in which illness or injuries surpass resource capabilities of a community or medical facility (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2010). Disaster preparedness is a process of ensuring that an organization has complied with the preventive measures and is in a state of readiness to contain the effects of a predicted disastrous event to minimize loss of life, injury, and damage to property. Disaster preparedness can also provide rescue, relief, rehabilitation, and other services in the aftermath of the disaster, as well as have the capability and resources to continue to sustain its essential functions without being overwhelmed by the demand placed on them. The American Nursing Association is helping to ensure that disaster preparedness and response is robust in this country to be personally and professionally prepared for a disaster. Being in a prepared profession can help cope and help the communities recover from disaster better, faster and stronger (Brewer, 2010). According to the Maricopa Integrated Health System (MIHS) at Maricopa Medical Center, they have a specialized disaster preparedness plan to fit their current top three hazards. Maricopa Medical Center conducts a Hazard Vulnerability Assessment (HVA) annually. The current top three hazards K.F., Manager of Fire Safety and Disaster Preparedness, at Maricopa Medical Center has identified include: Mass Causality Incidents (trauma, burns, pandemic, etc.), Small Casualty Hazardous Materials...

Words: 1573 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Lessons from Recent Disasters and the Development of Disaster Medical Assistance Teams in Taiwan

...medical infrastructures. The emergency medical preparedness programs evolved a lot in response to medical surge in these disasters. In our system, several characteristics should be clarified in the beginning: 1. In our multiple casualty incident plans require to send hospital doctors to the incidents immediately to save lives, disregarding what they can do or if the scene is under control. The emergency medical services system of Taiwan was established in 1995, and the fire fighters were trained to be emergency medical technicians (EMT) to provide pre-hospital medical care, people still believe that physicians at the scene can provide better medical care than the fire fighters/EMT. An experienced physician at the rescue scene may do a better job in triage and arranging definite medical care site, but not every hospital physician has street sense and proficiency in trauma care skills. When the personnel in emergency room of a smaller hospital were deployed to the scene, it jeopardized the capacity of hospitals for receiving patients. 2. The plans tend to call back all the personnel immediately. The first step of a response plan of an organization is usually to call back all the off duty personnel by all means. This procedure is self-depicted because it guarantee there will be adequate human resources for the following several hours. It may sometimes prematurely deplete the resources, for example the manpower for the next shift if the emergency extends for a while. The time...

Words: 1258 - Pages: 6