Disaster Management, Case Study Example

Priorities

• Ensure my safety in the building by remaining inside
• Children and elderly are a priority I would try making contact with my children’s school and elderly parents through radio if such services are avaible.
• Attend to the three clients whose injuries are serious
• Attend to the remainder clients with the resources available

In ensuring my safety first by remaining inside the building is an automatic response to the first law of life (self-preservation), which extends professionally towards disaster management. Venturing outside of the building would be exposing myself to accidents from broken power lines, potholes and other dangers on the road created by the impact of the earthquake in the vicinity. Even though land line or cell phones communication is accessible it would be important for me to at least attempt to make contact with my immediate family members in alleviating my fears and anxiety before attending.

It may not be possible hearing from them, but merely trying to make contact is psychologically reassuring. My attention would then be turned to attending to victims in priority of those seriously injured first and then the others with minor issues. While attending to them being the only nurse in the facility it would be important being vigilant regarding my safety since I could be attacked by clients seeking help (Guill & Shandera, 2001.)

Concepts used in disaster prevention and preparedness

Concepts related to disaster prevention and preparedness first is hazard meaning anything, which may cause danger. Hazards can be prevented as well as modified. If not intercepted hazards lead to risks. Risks are related to the possibility of a hazard ill happen. Another concept is event. This is interpreted as an occurrence which negatively impacts human life. Events create impacts that affect the home, community and work place in the form of damage and disaster. Essentially, impacts carry with them absorption capacity that affects community, home and work environment. Damage and disaster encompasses resilience and response (Balluz et.al, 2001).

References

Balluz, L. Moll, D. Diaz Martinez, M. Merida, C., & Malilay, J. (2010). Environmental pesticide exposure in Honduras following hurricane Mitch. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 79(4),288

Guill, C., & Shandera, W.(2010) The effects of Hurricane Mitch on a community in northern Honduras. Prehosp Disast Med 16(3):166–171