Disaster Planning for Public Health Assignment

Disaster Planning for Public Health
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Disaster Planning for Public Health
Our community last experienced the threat of a hurricane more than four decades ago. As a result, people relaxed and never saw the need to plan or get prepared if the threat of a hurricane becomes apparent. However, since 2014, numerous reports have emerged warning us of new hurricane threats. People are still reluctant to get serious and review the disaster plans that were in place during the last hurricane. The signs of a hurricane have become increasingly apparent, and the expectation is that our community will be hit with a hurricane in the next two years. The weather professionals have in the past gotten their estimations wrong, and with this fact in mind, it is indeed of great importance that the community develops effective disaster plans. It is never an easy affair, and it is only after the occurrence of a hurricane that the community will know whether their disaster plan is effective or not. The latter makes developing a disaster plan challenging but if the right estimations are made, many lives will be saved and loss of millions of dollars in property damage averted.
Every disaster plan needs to clearly stipulate the actions that need to be taken immediately the threat is deemed imminent. Few know this but the actions taken while an emergency is still in its initial stages are critical to the survival of a community (Ready.gov, 2016). Below are some response measures that can be taken to help avert danger and prevent loss of lives and damage to property:
* The first response to a disaster must be prompt communication channels that will spread the message of the incoming danger fast. Accurate information is indeed of the essence if the end goal of a disaster plan is to save people’s lives as well as prevent damage to property (Eisenman, 2007). Medical practitioners also need to educate individuals on the best methods of protecting themselves and their families. This information needs to be readily available at the local health centers.
* The second response measure is re-installation of the community public emergency service center (PES). The community’s PES has not been involved much in the recent past, but it needs to be equipped with the right information regarding the impending hurricane. The activities carried out by PES need to be expanded to include first-aid as well as the distribution of medicinal products to the different families.
* Stocking the families wi...