TABLE OF CONTENTS

Definition and Classification of a Disaster

Understanding Vulnerabilities

Disaster Triage

Disaster Management

Communication in Disaster

Psychological Impacts of a Disaster

Legal and Ethical Issues in Disaster Nursing

Disaster Response Team

Disaster Planning
 Dear Readers,

As a huge fan of books, I created my own written booklet on disaster nursing in the easiest and most
comprehensible explanation there is. Fast and easy to digest.
How do we define Disaster?

A disaster can be defined as a catastrophic event that results in widespread and

severe damage, loss of life, and disruption of normalcy. It is an event that
exceeds the ability of the affected community to cope and manage the situation
on its own.

In simple terms, huge damage and effect to human lives.

It can be caused by both natural phenomena such as earthquakes, hurricanes,

floods, and wildfires, as well as human-made incidents like explosions, terrorist
attacks, and industrial accidents.
 CLASSIFICATIONS OF A DISASTER

We classify disasters so we can easily help emergency management officials

and disaster response teams to understand the nature of the event and
develop a suitable response plan to manage the situation.
 UNDERSTANDING VULNERABILITIES
What is vulnerability in disaster and how do we classify them?

Vulnerability refers to the level of risk an individuals, communities, or

systems face when they are exposed to a hazardous event or disaster.

The concept of vulnerability is a critical component in disaster management as

it helps in identifying individuals or groups that require special attention and
support in preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. Vulnerability can be
classified based on:

If you have physical vulnerability;

It is attributed to factors such as location, type of building or structure, and
infrastructure. For example, people living in areas prone to floods, hurricanes,
earthquakes, or landslides are more physically vulnerable to such disasters
compared to those living in less vulnerable areas. Additionally, poorly
constructed buildings, lack of safety measures, or weak infrastructure are
factors that increase physical vulnerability.
If you are at risk for social vulnerability;
People who are considered socially vulnerable are those who have limited
resources, low income, lack access to basic services such as healthcare, and are
socially isolated or discriminated against. Such individuals are more likely to
suffer severe impacts from disasters than those who are not considered socially
vulnerable.

On the other hand, of you have economic vulnerability;

Economic vulnerability refers to the level of exposure or risk of harm posed to
individuals or communities, mainly attributed to economic factors such as
income, employment, and access to resources. Economic vulnerability can also
be influenced by the economic system, laws, and policies within a region. This
can create challenges for preparedness and recovery efforts, primarily when
such people lack access to insurance, savings, or credit.

Lastly, prone for environmental vulnerability;

Environmental vulnerability pertains to the level of exposure or risk of harm
posed to the natural environment or ecosystems caused by human-induced or
natural disasters. Disasters such as deforestation, pollution, climate change, or
the depletion of natural resources, can all lead to environmental degradation
and increased vulnerability.
 So we were able to identify the types of disaster and its vulnerables so we can
easily identify and foresee, to prevent aggravating damages from the holocaust.
Now let us move on, on how we can save time, organize our work, and practice
prioritization in the face of a disaster.
 DISASTER TRIAGE

1. Rapid Assessment: In this initial step, the triage team quickly evaluates the
overall situation and establishes a primary triage area. They assess the number
of casualties, severity of injuries, availability of resources, and environmental
conditions.

2. Prioritization: The next step is to categorize casualties from the following:

a) Immediate 🆘 life-threatening who require immediate intervention.

b) Delayed ⚠️ moderate-severe injuries, need medical help but can wait.

c) Minimal 💚 minor injuries who can be treated w/o immediate help.

d) Expectant ⚫ severe injuries that are beyond medical help, or dead.

3. Treatment: Once categorized, the patients are moved to the appropriate area
for treatment based on their color code. Green patients can be volunteers of
help if they can. The expectant patients are made comfortable and their deaths
are documented.

4. Reevaluation: Throughout the course of the treatment, patients are

reevaluated to ensure that their conditions have improved or deteriorated,
re-triaged if their condition worsens.
 DISASTER NURSING MANAGEMENT
The illustration below shows when and what to do during the times of a disaster.

Pre-Impact Phase
Before a disaster hits, we are constantly reminded through emergency protocols
or warning signs from satellites, weather networks, through communication
and even social media that a possible danger to the community can occur. The
role of the nurse during this phase is to assist in establishing shelters and first
aid and communicate with the emergency service group. While planning for
mobilization and triage for disasters that aren't predictable.

Impact Phase
It is the time of endurance and survival as disaster is happening, this phase can
last from minutes to weeks. This phase can last till threat of further destruction
has passed or emergency plans are in effect like operations, communication,
and shelters.

Post-Impact Phase
Recovery begins at the emergency phase and ends with return to normal order
and functional community. However, this phase can be prolonged upto years
specially ones impacted psychologically.
Figure 1. Nursing Management during a Disaster
 DISASTER PLANNING
Disaster planning as a whole, not only about nursing management. So what
authorities and other people in collaboration do?

Prevention
The focus is on identifying potential risks and hazards and taking steps to
reduce or prevent them. Prevention measures may include land-use planning,
zoning, building codes, and other regulatory measures, as well as public
education and awareness campaigns, environmental protection, and emergency
management training.

Mitigation
This involves taking measures to reduce the risk of disaster and minimize its
impact on people and property. Mitigation measures may include restricting
development in hazardous areas, strengthening buildings and other
infrastructure, improving warning systems, and developing emergency plans
and procedures.

Preparedness
This involves developing plans, procedures, and resources to respond effectively
to disasters. Preparedness measures may include developing emergency
response plans, training and drills, stockpiling emergency supplies and
equipment, and conducting vulnerability assessments.
Response
This involves taking action to address the immediate impacts of a disaster, such
as rescuing people, providing emergency aid, and protecting property.
Response measures may include activating emergency response plans,
coordinating with emergency services, and providing medical treatment,
shelter, and other essential services.

Recovery
This involves restoring essential services and infrastructure, as well as helping
people and communities to rebuild their lives after a disaster. Recovery
measures may include providing financial assistance and grants, repairing or
replacing damaged infrastructure, and coordinating with businesses,
non-profit organizations, and other partners.

Rehabilitation
This involves helping affected individuals and communities to recover
physically, emotionally, and socially from the effects of a disaster.
Rehabilitation measures may include providing psychological support,
counseling, and other mental health services, as well as identifying and
addressing longer-term social and economic issues.
 COMMUNICATIONS DURING DISASTER

Communication during a disaster is a vital element during operations and the

mitigation of plans. There are actually lots of people involved including various
stakeholders, emergency responders, the government, non-profit organizations,
and affected individuals and communities.

There are several types of communication that are commonly used, these are:
1. Emergency alerts: Emergency alerts can be sent through various
channels, including text messages, phone calls, and sirens. These alerts are
designed to provide critical information quickly and help individuals take
appropriate action to stay safe.

2. Public information: This involves sharing information about the

disaster with the public. This could include updates on the status of the
disaster, evacuation routes, shelter locations, and recovery efforts.

3. Interagency communication: This type of communication involves

coordination between different agencies and organizations that are
responding to the disaster. Interagency communication is critical because
it helps ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and that everyone is
working together to achieve the same goals.
 PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF A DISASTER
What can we do as nurses?

Immediately after the disaster, the most urgent needs of victims are rescuing,
ensuring physical safety, providing medical care, providing victims with food,
water, shelter, and reuniting families.

Psychological First Aid

Provide psychological first aid assistance for those whose acutely distress
• Any difficulties functioning interfere with the victim's cooperation
• Relief efforts and ability to help provide for their own safety.
• Look for signs of intense anxiety or panic, continuous crying, depressive
withdrawal, disorientation, incoherence, difficulty complying with requests

Vulnerable Groups
• Victims who have had a family member die in the disaster
• Victims who were trapped or entombed in the course of the disaster
• Victims who were severely injured in the disaster
• Victims who are children aged five to ten, mothers of young children
• Victims with a prior history of poor adaptation at work or at school or poor
coping in previous periods of high stress
Maladaptive Behaviors
• Children who stay out of school or adults who absent themselves from work
• Presents with vague medical problems such as sleep disturbances, fatigue etc.
• Pain or unexplainable headaches or gastrointestinal symptoms
• Suicidal thoughts or making suicide attempts or other attempts at self-harm
• Victims who describe persistent re-experiencing of the trauma, especially if
they report that they feel as if they are reliving it, or who persistently avoid
sights, sounds, or locations
• Associated with the disaster, who show marked restlessness, irritability, or
hyper vigilance, who present the appearance of "being in a fog," more than a
day or two after the disaster, are also at risk for ongoing difficulties.
 LEGAL AND ETHICAL ASPECTS

Licensure
Good Samaritan law
Standard care
Standing order
Written consent for operation and procedures
Correct identity
Drug maintenance
Self discharge of the patient
Documentation
Protection of patient property
Reporting
 DISASTER RESPONSE TEAM
Meet the team! During a disaster there are various teams constructed, from
communications, to authorities, and rescue teams.

Incident Command System

The organizational structure that is also a system is well-organized and scalable,
making it suitable for large, complex incidents or smaller-scale events. ICS
enables multiple responders to work in a unified manner. They are separated
into different chains of command, operations, planning, logistics, and finance.
And under those chains, are various positions so the system is functional. Let's
give an example bellow:
From the Author,

I think in terms of the general idea of disaster nursing is that disaster can come
at any given moment, as nurses we have a role in these circumstances, on the
frontier of health, we prevent, promote, and prolong the lives of the people. We
should be aware of the vulnerabilities and our management plan. Our goal is to
respond to mass casualty, providing emergency medical care, ensuring public health,
coordinating relief efforts, and collaborating with various healthcare professionals.
This is a critical and demanding field, and requires brave souls.

I feel that, as a citizen, it is all our duty to be aware of our safety needs. In times
of crisis, it would be disheartening to see lives being taken away, all our hard work
vanished. As nurses, we also aid in emotional and psychological help, empathizing
with these victims is also crucial. Listening to their words, this is vital for their
coping so we should be sensitive in these times. And importantly, we should still
practice and obey the rights of the people, and be respectful.

I see that our country, the Philippines, has a lot to improve in this field. There
is an urgent need for better disaster planning and investment in disaster risk
reduction measures. Our government needs to establish more efficient early
warning systems and there should be greater collaboration between the
government, NGOs, and other stakeholders to ensure that aid reaches affected
communities as soon as possible. These are essential to minimize the loss of life and
property during natural disasters.
 Thank you for spending time with me,
I hoped you learned something from here!

To bid you a formal goodbye,

I just want to formally thank you for being patient,
I know teaching is hard, I aspire for your empathy towards us.

Thank you for your hard work!