Disaster Preparedness

The practice of disaster medicine continues to evolve and expand. Emergency physicians are uniquely positioned to respond to victims’ needs resulting from the persistent occurrence of these mass casualty events. The presence of emergency physicians in health care coalitions and on hospital disaster committees can provide needed leadership in coordinating preparedness and response activities. Developing a hazard vulnerability analysis permits hospital personnel to assess the risk from common disaster threats to their facility and the surrounding community. Disaster triage is a unique sorting technique that allows rapid assessment of victims and prioritizes care to those who are most likely to benefit. Creating a hospital disaster response plan involves initial understanding of comprehensive emergency management and then developing an effective incident management plan consistent with national guidelines. This usually results in implementation of a hospital incident command system permitting flexibility in personal utilization and response strategies. Specific areas of focus include hospital evacuation, response to hazardous material exposures, and the threat from terrorist bombing and active shooter events. The psychological impact of disaster can be immediate and significant, so deployment of a tool for rapid mental health assessment of victims and responders is important. Such assessments can facilitate appropriate interventions. Knowledge of the types of disaster response organizations that exist will permit a better assessment of the possible aid available after a disaster and the timeframe for its delivery. Developing personal preparedness strategies ensures that responders will be effective when deployed after short notice.