Disaster Response
Explore the nurse’s role in disaster planning, preparedness, response, and recovery. You will develop a teaching tool to be used in the community that teaches community members how to be prepared for a variety of disasters common to your state.
Part 1: Disaster Response
Public health officials can play a huge part in disaster planning and emergency preparedness. In this part of the assignment, analyze disaster response and emergency preparedness.
Identify nursing roles and responsibilities during each phase of disaster management. Consider:
Planning
Preparedness
Response
Recovery
Summarize your findings regarding roles and responsibilities.
Evaluate your community or state's plan for preparedness and disaster management. Summarize your findings.
Create a teaching tool for your family or the community. Include the following:
How to plan an emergency kit, or "go bag"
How to do regular drills of your evacuation plan
How you will communicate with each other in the family
How to respond to natural disasters such as a fire, flood, or earthquake
How to respond in a mass casualty situation such as a major car accident or active shooter incident
Summarize your findings regarding roles and responsibilities for nurses in disaster recovery.
Evaluate your state or local government’s plan for long-term disaster recovery, including mental health counseling and social services support. Summarize your findings.
Create a teaching tool for individuals to use after a major disaster has occurred which includes the following information:
How to know when you need professional help or counseling post-disaster; How to access resources such as emergency shelters, food banks, and financial aid; What organizations are available that provide long term physical health care; When it is safe to return to work after a major natural disaster such as flooding; How to report any suspicious activity linked to fraudulent activities surrounding rebuilding efforts or fraudulent contractors offering false promises of service.