The city of Saber is in the “Response” stage of disaster management. During this stage, immediate actions are taken to address the aftermath of the disaster and provide assistance to affected individuals.

QUESTION

Directions: Read the case study below in addition to the textbook chapters, then answer, or discuss, the 4 questions listed below.

The Saber City disaster preparedness (DP) team wanted to coordinate a mock terrorist attack to study the effectiveness of their disaster management plan. The goal of the mock attack was to promote confidence, develop skills, coordinate activities, and coordinate participants of the disaster management team. The DP team planned an attack commonly seen with a terrorist attack: a bus carrying important politicians would explode outside the federal courthouse in downtown Saber. All participating organizations (including the health department, hospital, police department, and fire department) were notified of the date the mock attack would be held. Volunteers were found to play the victims found on the scene.

After months of planning, the day of the mock attack came. The members of the DP team watched how well the organizations worked together during the events of the mock attack. At noon, reports of an exploded bus in front of the courthouse came across police scanners: “Several people are dead and many more injured.” Emergency medical response teams and hazardous material response crews were called to the scene to care for the injured and attend to the potential hazardous exposure. Policemen quickly cleared the area of people and established a barrier around the scene. Firefighters put out the burning bus. From the mock attack, the DP team learned that the city of Saber was prepared for a terrorist attack. Communication between organizations flowed smoothly, and the DP team was skillful in controlling the situation. Participants in the mock attack stated they were happy to have the practice and felt more confident in their skills to provide care in the case of a major disaster.

Now answer the following four questions (organize your paper by writing the question in bold, followed by your response in regular type and triage clients by first, second, third):

1. In which stage of disaster management is the city of Saber?
2. You are a nurse called to the scene of the mock disaster. Triage the following clients you see at the disaster site (each one is tagged differently):
   • 60-year-old man with a broken wrist and a history of heart disease and asthma
   • 30-year-old woman with “road burn” abrasions & minimal bleeding on her forearms and thighs
   • 12-year-old boy with third-degree burn marks over 40% of his body
3. (a.)  What is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)?  AND 
4.  (b.) What 3 other agencies assist FEMA in emergency management, AND specifically how do they specifically help?
5. How is recovery from a disaster handled in another country?  (You may choose from a country in Asia, Africa, South America, or Europe.)  This could be a disaster similar to the case study, a natural disaster, or a medical pandemic. Include a thorough paragraph (usually at least 4-5 + sentences).

ANSWER

In which stage of disaster management is the city of Saber?

The city of Saber is in the “Response” stage of disaster management. During this stage, immediate actions are taken to address the aftermath of the disaster and provide assistance to affected individuals. The coordination of emergency response teams, medical care, evacuation, and control of the situation demonstrates that Saber is actively responding to the incident.

Triage of Clients

First Priority: 12-year-old boy with third-degree burn marks over 40% of his body. This patient has life-threatening injuries requiring immediate medical attention due to the extent of burns and potential for complications such as infection, shock, and respiratory distress.

Second Priority: 60-year-old man with a broken wrist and a history of heart disease and asthma. While his broken wrist needs attention, his medical history makes him more susceptible to complications if not properly managed. His existing health conditions require monitoring and care to prevent exacerbations.

Third Priority: 30-year-old woman with “road burn” abrasions & minimal bleeding on her forearms and thighs. Her injuries are less severe compared to the other two patients, and she can wait for treatment while higher-priority patients receive immediate care.

FEMA and Other Emergency Management Agencies

(a.) What is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)?
FEMA is a United States government agency responsible for coordinating disaster response and recovery efforts. It collaborates with federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, as well as nonprofit organizations and the private sector, to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the impacts of various disasters.

(b.) What 3 other agencies assist FEMA in emergency management, AND specifically how do they help?

Three agencies that assist FEMA in emergency management include:
1. The American Red Cross: It provides disaster relief, shelter, food, and emotional support to those affected by disasters. The Red Cross collaborates with FEMA to offer resources and expertise during emergencies.

2. National Guard: The National Guard provides support in various disaster situations, including search and rescue operations, transportation, and medical care. They work alongside FEMA to provide immediate assistance to affected communities.

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): CDC assists in public health emergency preparedness and response. They provide expertise in disease control, surveillance, and management during pandemics or outbreaks, complementing FEMA’s efforts in managing health-related disasters.

Recovery from a Disaster in Another Country

In the aftermath of a disaster, recovery approaches may vary across different countries. For instance, let’s consider recovery from a natural disaster like an earthquake in Japan. Japan has a comprehensive disaster management system that integrates government agencies, local authorities, and the community. Their recovery process involves swift coordination, efficient evacuation plans, and reconstruction efforts with a focus on disaster-resilient infrastructure. International aid and collaboration with non-governmental organizations play a crucial role in providing resources and expertise during the recovery phase. Community engagement, mental health support, and rebuilding of homes and infrastructure are central to Japan’s recovery strategy, ensuring that affected individuals regain their livelihoods and normalcy.