DISASTER CONTROL
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Disasters is
defined as a threatening or occurring event of such destructive magnitude and
force as to dislocate people, separate family members, damage or destroy homes,
and injure or kill people. (American Red
Cross)
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Disaster events
can either be classified as Natural
disasters, like floods, winter storms, wildfires and earthquakes, or Human-caused disasters, such as
residential fires, domestic acts of terrorism and transportation accidents.
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Level of Disaster
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Level III
A minor disaster that
involves a minimal level of damage but could result in a presidential
declaration of an emergency
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Level II
A moderate disaster that
likely will result in a presidential declaration of an emergency, with
moderate federal assistance
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Level I
A massive disaster that
involves significant damage and results in a presidential disaster
declaration, with major federal involvement and full engagement of federal,
regional and national resources. Large scale disasters will likely activate National Response Plan/Framework.
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Phases of Disaster Management (*FEMA)
1.
Mitigation -
measures or actions are taken to prevent the occurrence of a disaster or reduce
the damaging effects of a disaster.
2.
Preparedness - e.g
planning and practicing community disaster plans.
3.
Response - putting
disaster planning services into action and the action taken to save lives and
prevent further damage.
4.
Recovery -
restoration of the previous normal situation of the community.
Guidelines for Nurses in Disaster Planning
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Nurses should have
personal and family disaster plans. It is difficult to provide care to others
when one is concerned about the safety of one's family.
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Nurses must be
aware and familiar with the disaster plan in their facility and community
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Disaster
preparedness is essential in executing disaster plans in the community. Nurses
should maintain certification in disaster training and CPR.
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In providing care
to the injured, nurses would care for the victims by attending to those with
life-threatening problems first. Immediate plans for triage should begin. Nurse must be familiar with the triage system
of the health care facility.
Three-Tier Triage System
1.
First Priority:
Emergent (Red)
· Victims that have life-threatening injuries, but are
readily correctable.
· Example: trauma, chest pain, severe respiratory distress,
cardiac arrest, shock.
2.
Second Priority:
Urgent (Yellow)
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Victims must be
treated within 1 to 2 hours.
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Example:
simple fracture, asthma without respiratory distress, fever, hypertension,
abdominal pain
3.
Third Priority
non-urgent (Green)
·
Victim has no
injury, is noncritical or is ambulatory.
·
Example: minor
laceration, sprain or cold symptoms
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Priority Action in the Event of a Fire
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Rescue:
Evacuate
all the patients away from the vicinity of a fire.
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Alarm:
Activate
the fire alarm and report a fire before attempting to extinguish it.
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Confine:
Close
all doors and windows to contain and prevent fast spread of fire.
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TYPE
A:
B:
C:
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Extinguish:
Use
appropriate type of extinguisher to extinguish the fire.
Class of Fire
Wood,
cloth, upholstery, paper, plastic
Flammable
liquids or gases, greases, tar, and oil-based paint
Electrical
equipment
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