Patient Surge
One of the fundamental objectives of any emergency preparedness program is the ability to respond to surges in demand for health care. Within the realm of health care, proactive emergency…
EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Mutual Aid
When disaster strikes suddenly, first responders gather their resources, move to the scene, and begin to execute a well-rehearsed response. Personnel, supplies, and equipment arrive at the scene and meet…
Scene Safety and Situational Awareness in Disaster Response
Emergency medical service(s) (EMS) personnel receive training in scene operations and safety during the didactic portion of their training. The training covers the events and concerns in normal EMS response,…
The Role of Social Media in Disasters
Effective communication is vital during any mass casualty or disaster event. A variety of communication modalities are used in these scenarios, including hard-wired telephones, handheld radios, cellular phones, and text…
Disaster Preparedness
To start early is easy going, to start late is breakneck —Maori proverb Definition Disaster Terminology In order to communicate effectively about disasters as an empirical endeavor, clear definitions of…
Mobile Disaster Applications
Patient care in disaster situations is fraught with challenges as varied as the types of disasters that occur. Natural and human-made disasters not only create large numbers of casualties but…
Disaster Communications
Disaster communications entail using processes and technology to relay timely, pertinent, and accurate information for communities, responding agencies, transport assets, and receiving facilities. Misinformation can derail coordination efforts and delay…
Needs Assessment
In disasters the most effective efforts to minimize mortality are based on very specific, precisely targeted interventions against demonstrated causes of death. , Historically, however, humanitarian aid was dictated by…
Accidental versus Intentional Event
Not all disasters are easily recognized in their earliest stages. Although disasters caused by weather events (e.g., tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning), geologic events (e.g., earthquakes, volcanic eruptions), and some technological events…
Community Hazard Vulnerability Assessment
On August 23, 2011, residents in the tristate area (Maryland, Virginia, and District of Columbia) experienced an uncharacteristic event, but one relatively commonplace in the western United States and other…
