NR 442 Week 6 Natural & Man-Made Disasters Overview

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Chamberlain University

NR-442 Community Health Nursing

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NR 442 Week 6 Notes: Chapter 29 – Natural and Man-Made Disasters

Vulnerable Populations

In disaster situations, certain groups are more susceptible to harm due to age, health status, socioeconomic conditions, or mobility limitations. Identifying and supporting these vulnerable populations is essential to reducing adverse outcomes during both natural and man-made disasters.

Types of Disasters

A disaster is defined as an event that overwhelms a community’s ability to manage its effects. Disasters can be categorized by scale, type, and origin:

Scale of Casualties

Type	Definition
Mass casualty	Involves over 100 individuals affected
Multiple casualty	Involves 2–99 individuals affected
Casualty types	Direct victims, indirect victims, displaced persons, refugees

Categories of Disasters

Natural Disasters: Includes weather phenomena, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and infectious disease outbreaks.
Man-Made Disasters: Result from human actions, such as armed conflicts, structural collapses, transportation accidents, riots, environmental pollution, and acts of terrorism.
Combination Disasters (NA-TECH): Occur when a natural event triggers a widespread technological problem, such as flooding causing chemical plant leaks.

Characteristics of Disasters

Disasters can be analyzed through several characteristics, which help in planning and response:

Characteristic	Description
Frequency	How often a disaster occurs in a region
Predictability	The ability to foresee when and if a disaster will happen
Mitigation	Efforts to reduce loss of life and property
Imminence	Speed of onset and duration of the event
Scope	Geographical range of the disaster’s effects
Number of casualties	Number of affected, injured, or deceased individuals
Intensity	Level of destruction and severity of impact

Additional Tools:

Risk maps identify high-risk areas prone to specific disasters.
Resource maps highlight available local and regional resources to aid response and recovery efforts.

Disaster Management

Effective disaster management requires collaboration among multiple agencies, professionals, and the community. Planning ahead ensures adequate resources, clearly defined roles, and coordinated responses.

Government Responsibilities

Level	Responsibilities
Local	Educates citizens on emergencies, conducts drills, coordinates through the Office of Emergency Management
State	Supports local authorities, provides training, aligns with National Response Framework
Federal	Through the Department of Homeland Security, works to prevent terrorism, strengthens resilience. FEMA provides support for preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. CDC ensures public access to clean water, food, shelter, and healthcare

Public Health System and Non-Governmental Role

The public health system integrates both governmental and non-governmental organizations to maintain population health during disasters. The American Red Cross, chartered by Congress, delivers disaster relief, public education, preparedness training, and direct intervention services during emergencies.

Stages of Disaster Management

Stage	Description
Prevention	Identify potential risks, create risk maps, educate the public, and develop preparedness plans using resource maps
Preparedness/Planning	Train in first aid, assemble emergency kits, establish communication and evacuation plans
Response	Immediate actions post-disaster, including shelter-in-place, evacuation, search and rescue, and triage
Recovery	Begins once immediate danger passes; includes rebuilding infrastructure, restoring services, financial recovery, and revising disaster plans

Community Responses to Disasters

Communities often progress through predictable psychological phases following a disaster:

Heroic Phase: Individuals actively assist others in crisis situations.
Honeymoon Phase: Survivors share experiences, develop bonds, and express gratitude for support received.
Disillusionment Phase: Fatigue, frustration, and despair may arise as challenges persist.
Reconstitution Phase: Focus on long-term recovery, rebuilding, and returning to normal routines.

Psychological Considerations:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common reaction among survivors and first responders.

Triage Systems

Efficient triage is crucial for managing casualties in disasters. Two primary systems are used:

START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment)

Tag	Category	Criteria
Red	Immediate	Respirations >30, airway compromise, capillary refill >2 sec, cannot follow commands
Yellow	Delayed	Respirations <30, airway intact, capillary refill <2 sec, follows commands; can wait 45–60 min
Black	Deceased	No signs of life
Green	Walking Wounded	Minor injuries, able to walk unassisted

Quick Assessment (RPM Rule):

Respirations: < or >30
Perfusion: Radial pulse or capillary refill ≤2 seconds
Mental Status: Follows commands (“30 & 2 CAN DO”)

SALT (Sort, Assess, Lifesaving Interventions, Treatment/Transport)

This system emphasizes sorting victims, assessing needs, providing lifesaving interventions, and ensuring appropriate treatment and transport.

Important Note: Scene safety is always the top priority; responders must avoid becoming victims themselves.

References

American Red Cross. (n.d.). Disaster relief services. https://www.redcross.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Emergency preparedness and response. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov

NR 442 Week 6 Natural & Man-Made Disasters Overview

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (2005). Are you ready? An in-depth guide to citizen preparedness. https://www.fema.gov

Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2020). Foundations for population health in community/public health nursing (5th ed.). Elsevier.