Overview
Discussion Questions: Exploring Past Disasters, Incident Indicators, Nursing Implications, and Preparedness Strategies
Research past disasters. Focus on a man-made disaster, research a mass casualty incident, biological or radiological/nuclear disaster, or hazardous material spill disaster.
- Describe the disaster you researched. What resources were deployed for the incident? Share specific examples of preparedness, relief, and recovery.
- Determine the incident complexity level and explain your reasoning (incident indicators can be found here https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/nims-incident-complexity-guide.pdfLinks to an external site.)
- What are the primary health concerns and nursing interventions needed? Consider injuries and traumas.
- How can you be more prepared for potential disasters? What specific training options or certifications are you interested in?
In your peer responses, help expand the discussion by proposing additional disaster preparedness and response strategies.
Reply to at least two peers; one reply should address a peer who researched a different disaster than yours.
- Compare and contrast the challenges and responses.
- Offer constructive suggestions for strengthening disaster plans and processes based on your insights.
Support your answers with scholarly sources (references and citations).
| Per FEMA: Emergency vs. Disaster The terms emergency and disaster are often used interchangeably. This common use of terms can be confusing. It is easiest to understand the terms emergency and disaster as being at two ends of a scale, in which the size of an incident and the resources to deal with the incident are matched to varying degrees. Emergency at one end of the spectrum, emergencies are generally small-scale, localized incidents that are resolved quickly using local resources. However, small-scale emergencies can escalate into disasters when there has been inadequate planning and wasteful use of resources. At the other end of the spectrum, disasters are typically large-scale and cross geographic, political, and academic boundaries. Disasters require a level of response and recovery greater than local communities can provide. |