Disaster Management Cycle Quiz

Study Notes

Disaster management involves the organization and management of resources and responsibilities to deal with the humanitarian aspects of emergencies, focusing on preparedness, response, and recovery to lessen the impact of disasters.
The disaster event refers to the real-time occurrence of a hazard that affects the 'element at risk', with the duration depending on the type of threat (e.g., earthquake, flooding).
The disaster management cycle has five phases: mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, and evaluation/development.

Mitigation involves taking steps to lessen the impact of a disaster should it occur, and is considered preventive and risk reduction measures.
Examples of mitigation activities include:
- Installing and maintaining backup generator power to mitigate the effects of a power failure.
- Flood control projects.
- Staff training.
- Awareness and education.
- Disaster prevention measures.

Preparedness is a continuous cycle of planning, organizing, training, equipping, exercising, evaluating, and taking corrective action.
Focuses on readiness to respond to all-hazards, incidents, and emergencies.
The health care community should be prepared, including:
- Hospitals.
- Pharmacies.
- Rescue personnel.
The non-health care community should also be prepared, including:
- Fire Fighters.
- Media.
- Medical examiners.

Classification according to hydro-meteorological origin:
- Cyclones.
- Typhoons.
- Hurricanes.
- Tornadoes.
- Storms.
- Hailstorms.
- Snowstorms.
- Cold spells.
- Droughts.
Classification according to geological origin:
- Earthquakes.
- Tsunamis.
- Volcanic activity.
- Landslides.
- Surface collapse.
- Geological fault activities.
Classification according to biological origin:
- Outbreaks of epidemic diseases.
- Plant or animal contagion.
- Extensive infestation.

Man-made disasters are also known as human-induced disasters.
They are serious disruptions triggered by human-induced hazards, causing human, material, economic, or environmental losses that exceed the ability of those affected to cope.

Recognition and awareness of potential disasters.
Preparedness for disasters includes:
- Developing specific community contingency plans.
- Preparing residents, particularly vulnerable populations, for access to necessary life-sustaining resources and evacuation as necessary.
- Awareness of the potential for covert use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
- Self-protection and early detection, containment, and decontamination of substances and agents that may affect others by secondary exposure.