Emergency and Disaster Nursing: Disaster Preparedness Week 3

Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness

• Fire extinguishers should be evaluated in and around the home to identify potential risks.

Types of Fire Extinguishers

• Air-Pressured Water (APW) Extinguishers:
• Filled with 2/3 ordinary tap water, pressurized with normal air
• Designed for Class A (wood, paper, cloth) fires only
• Carbon Dioxide Extinguishers:
• Filled with non-flammable CO2 under extreme pressure
• Recognizable by its hard horn and lack of pressure gauge
• Designed for Class B and C (flammable liquid and electrical) fires only
• Found frequently in laboratories, mechanical rooms, kitchens, and flammable liquid storage areas
• Dry Chemical Extinguishers:
• Has 3 types: DC (dry chem), ABC (designed to extinguish class A, B, C), and BC (designed to extinguish class B and C)

Earthquake Preparedness

• What to do BEFORE an earthquake:
• Keep a battery-powered radio, flashlight, and first aid kits
• Learn first aid
• Avoid keeping heavy objects in high shelves
• Fasten heavy appliances to the floor and anchor heavy furniture to the wall
• Discuss earthquake safety in school and at home
• What to do AFTER an earthquake:
• Evacuate the building and proceed to the designated evacuation area
• Group together at the designated evacuation area
• Take a headcount
• Evaluate problems encountered

Volcanic Eruptions Preparedness

• What to do BEFORE a volcanic eruption:
• Learn about community warning systems and emergency plans
• Make a family emergency plan, evacuation plan, and communication plan
• What to do DURING a volcanic eruption:
• Follow orders issued by authorities
• Be aware of mudflows/landslides-debris flow
• Help neighbors who may require special assistance
• Protection from falling ash:
  • Remain indoors
  • Avoid contact with ash
  • Respiratory ailment – avoid contact with ash
• Listen to battery-powered radio or TV
• What to do AFTER a volcanic eruption:
• Keep windows, doors, and dampers closed until ashfall ends
• If possible, stay away from volcanic ashfall areas

Disaster Preparedness

• Classification of fuels:
• Covers activities to enhance the ability to predict, respond to, and cope with the effects of a disaster
• Includes precautionary activities by households, communities, and organizations to react appropriately during and following the event
• Classification of fires:
• Class A: ordinary combustibles (wood, paper, cloth)
• Class B: flammable liquids (gasoline, oil, grease, acetone)
• Class C: electrical fires
• Class D: combustible metals (potassium, sodium, aluminum, magnesium)

General Preparedness

• Factors in Successful Firefighting:
• Fire warning system and quantity of extinguishers
• Fire training (knowledge)
• Fire-fighting equipment in good working condition
• 4 Things must be present at the SAME TIME to produce fire:
• Enough oxygen to sustain combustion
• Fuel ( combustible materials)
• Heat
• Chemical reaction (fire triangle)

Emergency and Disaster Nursing

• Communication Plan:
• Plan with 3 easy steps:
  • Identify a meeting spot outside the home
  • Choose an out-of-town contact
  • Practice your plan
• Phases of an Earthquake Drill:
• PHASE 1: ALARM
• PHASE 2: RESPONSE
• PHASE 3: EVACUATION
• PHASE 4: ASSEMBLY
• PHASE 5: HEAD COUNT
• PHASE 6: EVALUATION