Riverbend City: Vulnerable Populations Mission, Coursework Example

Introduction

The Ruby Lake Community has experienced a significant tragedy that requires special attention and focus due to limited communication with diverse cultural groups affected by the incident. Therefore, the evacuation process has been difficult to share with these residents, many of whom possess specific needs that require extra attention. It is important to communicate the evacuation strategy effectively and to be proactive in understanding the impact of this process on the population and how they might better understand the urgency of the situation and how to get to safety as best as possible. In this context, it is critical to keep the population informed of the required actions and to utilize those with fluency in other language to share information with specific groups (Rebmann, Carrico, & English, 2008). This process will support a smoother evacuation strategy and promote calm in the wake of tragedy for the affected groups (Rebmann et.al, 2008).

Analysis

Evacuation of the Ruby Lake community requires a priority-based agenda in order to remove those who are most vulnerable first, followed by those who are able to move on their own. Therefore, older, adults, those with limited mobility, and children who do not understand what is going on should be evacuated in the early stages, followed by others who can follow directions more effectively with an interpreter and maintain a high level of flexibility with these decisions. Most importantly, the interpreters should aim to invoke a sense of calm over the group as best as possible and communicate the actions that are being taken as these decisions are made in order to ensure that all persons who must be evacuated are protected from risk as best as possible. Through the use of an interpreter for the Hispanic population, there is likely to be a greater sense of calm if the individual speaks with authority and confidence to the group.

Those who have received disaster preparedness training and are confident in their abilities in this area are likely to support the chosen agenda with authority and greater control over the circumstances (Rebmann et.al, 2008). Fire, police, and medical personnel will assist in the evacuation process and will provide a high level of support and acknowledgement of the needs of this population in the short term, based upon lessons learned from prior disasters where evacuations were necessary (Rebmann et.al, 2008). Public health nurses and other healthcare providers will also play a role in shaping the response effort, using a variety of tools and resources to ensure that patient needs are met and are appropriately allocated to the evacuation itself (Jakeway, LaRosa, Cary, & Schoenfisch, 2008). It is in the best interests of all persons affected by the disaster that they leave the scene in order to protect themselves from unnecessary risk or injury; therefore, a coordinated response effort is critical to the success of the evacuation strategy (Jakeway et.al, 2008). In the event that a person refuses to leave the site, additional personnel, such as law enforcement, may be called in to emphasize the urgency of the situation and to enforce the law by all means necessary within a practical manner.

Nurses working in a public health capacity must be properly trained in a number of areas and possess basic core competencies to ensure that they provide optimal support to the evacuation effort (Walsh et.al, 2012). These core competencies must include communication tools and resources, in addition to exercising greater control over the situation and promoting an organized environment, in spite of the chaos that is likely to ensue (Walsh et.al, 2012). These factors require a proactive and collaborative effort from all nurses in order to accomplish the intended objectives in a manner that will translate into a successful evacuation effort from the team (Walsh et.al, 2012). An evaluation of the risks of the population facing evacuation must also be considered as part of a larger framework to achieving success in these endeavors and in determining how to best approach the circumstances with a sense of calm and control, and to lead by example in these areas to ensure that those facing evacuation receive the best possible attention and focus from the public health nursing community under these conditions (Maurer & Smith, 2012). Most importantly, the nursing community must exercise their expert knowledge of public health issues and utilize their training in disaster preparedness in order to accomplish the intended objectives within the context of the rescue effort. Organization is key to a successful evacuation; therefore, nurses working directly in the situation must aim to maintain calm and organization, in spite of the possible loss of control due to the circumstances.

Conclusion

In a disaster situation, evacuation involves a complex series of events that require significant attention and focus from public health nurses. Their training and skills in disaster preparedness will benefit them in these situations and support their ability to control the situation as best as possible. When communication is an issue due to language barriers, it is important to identify these issues and to be proactive in using interpreters to share any news regarding the situation and how the evacuation effort will take place. It is important to identify any barriers to a successful evacuation and to address them as a team so that all persons are on the same page and are aware of how the process will take place. This is critical to the overall success of the effort and in determining how to best move forward to ensure that all residents are evacuated without significant complications. By maintaining a sense of calm and control over the situation, public health nurses are likely to achieve the desired result in supporting the evacuated population and its immediate needs, which may include emotional, psychological, and physical concerns that require immediate attention from the team.

References

Jakeway, C.C., LaRosa, G., Cary, A., & Schoenfisch, S. (2008). The role of public health nurses in emergency preparedness and response: a position paper of the Association of State and Territorial Directors of Nursing. Public Health Nursing, 25(4), 353-361.

Maurer, F.A., & Smith, C.M. (2012). Community/Public Health Nursing Practice: Health for Families and Populations. St Louis: Elsevier.

Rebmann, T., Carrico, R., & English, J.F. (2008). Lessons public health officials learned from past disasters. Public Health Nursing, 25(4), 344-352

Walsh, L., Subbarao, I., Gebbie, K., Schor, K. W., Lyznicki, J., Strauss-Riggs, K., … & James, J. (2012). Core competencies for disaster medicine and public health.Disaster medicine and public health preparedness,6(01), 44-52.