Disaster Nursing: Pre-Impact Phase & Risk Reduction

• The document provides guidance on disaster nursing and emergency preparedness, focusing on the pre-impact phase of the disaster management continuum.
• BSN 4-1 students will get essential understanding, positive attitude, and be knowledgeable.

Prevention / Mitigation

• Disaster prevention means avoiding adverse hazard impacts through advance actions, like constructing dams or enforcing land-use regulations.
• Disaster mitigation involves lessening hazard impacts using engineering techniques, hazard-resistant construction, and better environmental policies.
• The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) focuses on reducing disaster risks and increasing resilience.

Strategies of UNISDR

• The Hyogo Framework for Action (2005-2015) aimed to build nations' and communities' resilience to disasters.
• The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) emphasizes disaster risk understanding, governance, investment, and preparedness.
• UNISDR collaborates with authorities, organizations, and institutions to implement disaster risk reduction strategies.
• UNISDR promotes the use of knowledge, innovation, and education to build a safety and resilience culture.

HYOGO Framework for Action on Disaster Reduction

• The Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) was a strategy adopted in 2005 in Hyogo, Japan.
• It served as a 10-year action plan (2005-2015) to improve disaster resilience globally.
• The goal was to reduce the loss of human lives, the social and the economic environmental assets from disasters.
• The HFA was introduced the Indian Ocean tsunami killed 228,000 individuals.
• Aims to build the resilience of nations and communities to disasters by reducing vulnerabilities and strengthening preparedness.

HFA Key priorities

• Integration of Disaster Risk Reduction into Governance: Prioritizing DRR at national and local levels.
• Risk Assessment and Early Warning: Identifying, assessing, and monitoring disaster risks.
• Knowledge and Education: Utilizing knowledge, innovation, and education to foster safety and resilience.
• Reduction of Underlying Risk Factors: Addressing vulnerability root causes.
• Preparedness for Effective Response: Strengthening disaster preparedness mechanisms.

Impact of HFA

• Improved early warning systems saved lives.
• Stronger national policies led to better disaster response.
• Community engagement and education enhanced preparedness.
• Infrastructure improvements reduced destruction from earthquakes, storms, and floods.

Hazard, Risk, and Vulnerability Analysis (HRVA)

• Hazard, Risk, and Vulnerability Analysis (HRVA) is a systematic method used to identify potential hazards and risks to the community.
• HRVA is also used to help in disaster preparedness, risk reduction, and mitigation planning.
• Hazards are rare or extreme natural events that affect human lives and properties.
• Risks are a measure of expected loss due to a particular hazard.
• Vulnerability refers to how susceptible a community or system is to hazard damage.

Key Components of HRVA

• Hazard Assessment identifies potential hazards and classifies them based on frequency and predictability.
• Risk Assessment evaluates the likelihood and potential consequences of hazard occurrence.
• Vulnerability Assessment identifies weaknesses in infrastructure, population, and response capacity.

Conducting HRVA

• List all possible hazards in the area.
• Determine the likelihood and severity of each hazard.
• Identify weak points in the system or community.
• Rank hazards based on potential impact.
• Implement plans to reduce or manage risks.

Continuously update the HRVA based on new information.

Steps to Conducting a Site-Specific HRVA

• Define the Site - Identify the location (Barangay, city, region, or facility).
• Gather geographic, demographic, and infrastructure data.
• Identify Site-Specific Hazards - Review past disaster records and environmental studies.
• Use hazard maps, climate data, and expert consultations, and consider man-made risks.
• Assess Risks - Determine probability, evaluate impact, and analyze exposure.
• Assess Vulnerability - Physical, social, and economic dimensions.
• Rank Risks and Prioritize Actions - Use a Risk Matrix and focus on critical hazards.
• Develop Mitigation and Response Plans - Implement infrastructure improvements and early warning systems.
• Strengthen community preparedness and resilience strategies.
• Monitor and Update HRVA - Regularly update risk assessments based on new data and climate change effects.

Preparedness

• Disaster preparedness includes assembling lists of healthcare facilities, medical, nursing, and emergency responder groups.
• Public works and other civic departments; and volunteer agencies, along with phone numbers and key contact personnel for each is included.
• Hospitals, clinics, physician offices, mental health facilities, nursing homes, and home care agencies must all have the capacity to ensure continuity of patient care.

General Preparedness

• Understand local risks, such as earthquakes, floods, or storms.
• Stay informed with news, weather alerts, and emergency warnings.
• Make an emergency plan with evacuation routes and contacts.
• Pack a disaster kit with food, water, medicine, a flashlight, batteries, and documents.

Core Preparedness Activities

• Prepare a theoretical foundation for disaster planning.
• Have a community needs assessment.
• Identify a leadership and command post.
• Design a local response for the first 72 hours.
• Identify and accommodate vulnerable populations.
• Identify training and educational needs, resources, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Plan for early damage assessment.

Warning signs

• Visual Signals: Smoke signals, fire signals, and light signals.
• Auditory Signals: Sirens, whistles, and loud alarms.
• Electronic Signals: Emergency text messages and weather alerts.

Fire preparedness

• Fires are the leading cause of death due to asphyxiation.
• A fully developed room fire has temperatures over 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Fire generates black smoke that blocks vision.
• The PIN should be removed to prevent accidental discharge.

PASS Technique for Using a Fire Extinguisher:

• PULL the safety pin.
• AIM the nozzle at the fire base.
• SQUEEZE the handle.
• SWEEP the nozzle side to side.

Fire Extinguisher Classifications

• Class A: For cloth, wood, rubber, paper, and plastics fires.
• Class B: For gasoline, grease, and oil fires.
• Class C: For electrical fires.
• Class D: For combustible metals fires.
• Class K: For kitchen fires involving cooking oils and fats.

Earthquake Preparedness

• Involves understanding how to stay safe during a disaster, having a plan, and having supplies.
• Risk assessment helps identify earthquake-prone areas and potential hazards.
• Hazard mapping enables authorities to develop appropriate response plans.
• Regular drills, early warning systems, and disaster response training enhance preparedness.

Earthquake DOs

• DROP where you are onto your hands and knees.
• COVER your head and neck with your arms.
• HOLD ON until the shaking stops.
• You are not under a protected space: Protect your head and neck with both arms.

Earthquake supplies ready

• Organize supplies into a Go-Kit, Stay-at-Home-Kit, and a Bed-Kit.
• Have a 1-month supply of medication in a child-proof container.
• Identify things that might fall during shaking.

After/During Earthquake

• Secure items like straps, hooks, latches, and other safety devices that are widely available so they don't injure you during an earthquake.
• Have a backup battery or a way to charge your cell phone.
• Awareness and community involvement are critical in earthquake preparedness.

Earthquake Danger Signs.

• Foreshocks or increased tremors, which are those small quakes that may signal a larger one.
• Ground tilting, shifts in the earth's surface indicating underground movement.
• Unusual fluctuations in water levels where there is a sudden drops or rises in lakes, rivers, or wells.

Indoor action during earthquake

• Seek shelter under sturdy furniture to avoid falling debris.

Outdoor action during earthquake

• move to an open space-far from buildings, walls, trees, overpasses, and power lines

Earthquake Magnitude Scale

• Earthquakes are measured based on magnitude and intensity, two distinct but related concepts.
• Magnitude refers to the energy released by an earthquake.
• It is measured using a seismograph on the Richter scale.

Earthquake Intensity Scale

• Intensity refers to the strength of ground shaking at a specific location during an earthquake.
• The Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) Scale, ranges from I to X.
• Intensity levels are from a Not Felt shake but not damage, to a total of Extreme destruction.

Volcanic Eruptions, Floods, Tornadoes, Typhoons, Cyclones, and Tsunami Preparedness

• Volcanic eruption happens when hot magma, gas, and ash come out of a volcano.
• Protect yourself from ash by wearing an N95 mask or a disposable face mask and goggles.
• It's best to stay indoors, keep doors and windows closed, and listen to news updates for safety instructions.

Planning to prepare for Volcano

• Identify potential sources, know evacuation routes, and understand warning systems.

Volcanic Eruption Alert Levels:

• Level 0: No eruption expected.
• Level 1: Small movements occur.
• Level 2: Volcano becoming more active.
• Level 3: Strong signs of eruption.
• Level 4: Eruption likely within days.
• Level 5: Eruption is in progress.

Safeguard Homes and Properties.

• Locking all windows and doors will prevent volcanic ash and harmful gases from entering indoor spaces.
• Turn off heating, air conditioning systems, and fans to avoid sucking in ash, which can damage appliances and pose serious health risks.

Typhoon Preparedness Action

• Proper preparation can save lives and reduce damage.
• Coastal regions and low-lying areas are particularly vulnerable.
• Tropical Depression (Less than 62 km/h) – brings rain and light winds.
• Tropical Storm (62-88 km/h) – Stronger winds cause some damage.

Typhoon Classification

• Severe Tropical Storm (89-117 km/h) – Winds are getting stronger, and damage is more noticeable.
• Typhoon (118-185 km/h) – Strong winds damage buildings and uproot trees.
• Super Typhoon (185+ km/h) – This can destroy houses knock down buildings, and cause storm surges.
• PAGASA issues warning signals, indicating wind strength and potential damage.
• Higher signal numbers indicate stronger, more dangerous storm.

Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals.

• Signal No. 1: Light to no damage; preschools suspended.
• Signal No. 2: Moderate damage; elementary and high school suspended.
• Signal No. 3: Heavy damage; classes at all levels and some work suspended.
• Signal No. 4: Severe damage; extreme risk to life.
• Signal No. 5: Catastrophic damage; extreme risk of injury and death.

Rainfall intensity

• Red Warning: Torrential rain (more than 30mm per hour); evacuate immediately.
• Orange Warning: Intense rain (15-30mm per hour); prepare for evacuation.
• Yellow Warning: Heavy rain (7.5-15mm per hour); monitor the situation.

Preparing Homes for Flood + Typhoon events

• Ensure homes, emergency kits, and staying informed.
• Raising a home or building above potential flood levels is a great way to prepare.
• Levees are raised structures made of soil, clay, or rock that is built along rivers or coasts to hold back water.
• Floodwalls are solid walls (concrete or metal) that serve as protective barriers.

Asses Vulnerability Action

• Assess foundations for cracks, basement entry points, and drainage systems. -Evaluate insurance coverage and local flood maps.
• Apply waterproof coatings or sealants to walls should be done.
• Flood-resistant doors and windows should be installed.
• Water-resistant materials for walls and flooring can be utilized.

Tsunami Preparedness

• Tsunamis are powerful and devastating natural disasters but being prepared can significantly increase survival.
• Recognizing natural signs can save lives.
• Plan and ensure evacuation routes should be pre-planned, leading to safe areas away from the coastline.
• You should know where to go immediately, to be safe.

Tsunami Warning Signs

• Natural Warning Signs
• If you seeSudden rise or fall of the ocean:
• Hearing a loud roar from the ocean
• Feeling a strong or long earthquake near the coast

Official Warning Signs:

• Text message alerts
• Radio broadcasts
• Outdoor sirens
• Online/TV warnings

Tsunami Prevention to property

• Barriers, seawalls, and reinforced doors can reduce tsunami damage.

Universal Emergency Code System

• Aqua for floods.
• Black for bomb threats.
• Blue for medical emergencies.
• Brown for hazardous spills.
• Green for evacuation.
• Grey for infrastructure loss.
• Orange for external disasters.
• Purple for hostage taking.
• Red for fire or smoke.
• Silver for active shooter.
• White for violent situation.
• Yellow/Amber for missing child or infant.

Preparing Family Communication Plan

• Create a contact list with family members and important contacts, including an out-of-town contact.
• Enter ICE (In Case of Emergency) numbers into each family member's phone.
• Text Messaging: Teach family members how to send text messages during emergencies
• Regular Updates: Maintain your location and status
• Conduct family meetings to review and practice the communication plan at least once a year

Additional Recommendations

• Sign up for local emergency alert services.
• Assemble a disaster supply kit with food, water, and first aid items.
• Ensure children know how to call 911 during an emergency

Assembling an Emergency Kit.

• Shelter should include tents, sleeping bag, tarp.
• Water : 1 gallon or 4 liters per person per day.
• Food consumption of every family member for three days.

Tools for emergencies

• Maps with indication of evacuation sites and routes.
• Fire starting tools such as Lighter, Candle are important!

Preparedness Skills

• Cooking is understanding the use of your food.
• Canning is a method in an airtight container.
• Dehydrating improves the reduction of moisture in food.

Survival Patterns

• Whenever a natural catastrophe occurs, coming up with fast solutions and using whatever is at your disposal is essential
• Foraging- Looking for plants to obtain food and medicinal properties will be very helpful.
• Boiling:Heat water to a boil to kill harmful germs and pathogens.
• Chlorination: Adding chlorine (usually bleach) to water to disinfect and kill germs.
• Distillation-Boiling water, capturing the steam, and turning it back into water to remove impurities and contaminants.

Signals for help

• Signally or help to obtain improve of being found, thus improve odds.
• Any noise source, for instance, hitting pans together, blasting speakers, or shouting, that indicates someone needs help.

During such a crisis, if not having a compass remember these basic techniques to help you In summary:

• Sun in the morning = East, Sun in the afternoon = West. • At night in the Northern Hemisphere, use the Big Dipper to find Polaris to point north.

PACE Planning (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency):

• PACE planning helps organizations establish an order to deploy communications assets when capabilities are disrupted or degraded.
• PACE planning helps organizations establish an order to deploy communications when capabilities are disrupted or degraded

Shelter in Place or Bugging Out

That means staying where you are during a disaster to The environment outside is more dangerous.

Disaster Supply

• Water or 1 gallon per person per day.
• Food: Non-perishable and high-calorie options.
• Security: Self-defense tools and knowledge if needed.