Lessons learned: a response and recovery framework for post-disaster scenarios

2009 ◽  
pp. 277-292
Author(s):  
Darren Saywell
Keyword(s):  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Response And Recovery ◽  
Post Disaster

scholarly journals Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) Science and the CBRNE Science Medical Operations Science Support Expert (CMOSSE)

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 995-1010
Author(s):  
C. Norman Coleman ◽  
Judith L. Bader ◽  
John F. Koerner ◽  
Chad Hrdina ◽  
Kenneth D. Cliffer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subject Matter ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Incident Management ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Preparedness Planning ◽  
Medical Response ◽  
Core Elements ◽  
Subject Matter Expertise ◽  
Response And Recovery

ABSTRACTA national need is to prepare for and respond to accidental or intentional disasters categorized as chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive (CBRNE). These incidents require specific subject-matter expertise, yet have commonalities. We identify 7 core elements comprising CBRNE science that require integration for effective preparedness planning and public health and medical response and recovery. These core elements are (1) basic and clinical sciences, (2) modeling and systems management, (3) planning, (4) response and incident management, (5) recovery and resilience, (6) lessons learned, and (7) continuous improvement. A key feature is the ability of relevant subject matter experts to integrate information into response operations. We propose the CBRNE medical operations science support expert as a professional who (1) understands that CBRNE incidents require an integrated systems approach, (2) understands the key functions and contributions of CBRNE science practitioners, (3) helps direct strategic and tactical CBRNE planning and responses through first-hand experience, and (4) provides advice to senior decision-makers managing response activities. Recognition of both CBRNE science as a distinct competency and the establishment of the CBRNE medical operations science support expert informs the public of the enormous progress made, broadcasts opportunities for new talent, and enhances the sophistication and analytic expertise of senior managers planning for and responding to CBRNE incidents.

scholarly journals (P1-21) Medical Disaster Relief after the 2009 American Samoan Tsunami: Lessons Learned

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S1) ◽  
pp. s105-s106
Author(s):  
R. Partridge ◽  
D.B. Bouslough ◽  
L. Proano ◽  
S. Soliai-lemusu ◽  
F. Avegalio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
American Samoa ◽  
Flood Damage ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
American Samoan ◽  
Post Disaster

BackgroundTsunamis most commonly occur in the “Ring of fire” in the Pacific due to frequency of earthquakes and volcanic activity. Damaging tsunamis occur 1–2 times yearly. On September 29, 2009, an earthquake on the Pacific floor caused a tsunami that struck American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga, with only 20 minutes warning.ObjectiveTo evaluate the disaster response in American Samoa by emergency medical services (EMS), the territorial hospital, and the Department of Health.MethodsA retrospective review of EMS logs, public health records, hospital emergency department charts, and key-informant interviews over a 2-week period. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate data.ResultsThree 5-meter waves struck the American Samoan islands, with land inundation as far as 700 meters. Many low- lying villages, including the capital city Pago Pago were affected. A total of 33 people (8 male, 23 female, including 3 children) were killed by the water, with approximately 150 significantly injured. EMS runs increased 250% from normal daily averages, with island-wide responses significantly delayed by flood damage. The hospital in Pago Pago, situated near the shore and only 10 meters above sea level, utilized 75 staff to evacuate 68 in-patients to high ground as soon as tremors were felt. This process was completed in 20 minutes with no associated morbidity or mortality. Patient injury patterns for the event are similar to recent literature reports. Mobile clinics and alternate care sites established at outlying dispensaries were used to decentralize healthcare from the hospital. DMAT/DMORT teams from Oregon and Hawaii supported local healthcare initiatives. Post-disaster public health surveillance focused on identifying and limiting food/water-borne illnesses, dengue fever, and influenza-like-illness outbreaks, as well as disaster related PTSD.ConclusionThe disaster response to the tsunami in American Samoa was effective. Disaster planning was appropriate and rapidly implemented. Post-disaster public health emergencies were minimized.

Planning for disaster resilience in rural, remote, and coastal communities: Moving from thought to action

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda L. Murphy, PhD ◽  
Gregory S. Anderson, PhD ◽  
Ron Bowles, PhD ◽  
Robin S. Cox, PhD
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Coastal Communities ◽  
Disaster Resilience ◽  
Case Study Analysis ◽  
Planning Framework ◽  
Response And Recovery ◽  
Bridging Organization

Disaster resilience is the cornerstone of effective emergency management across all phases of a disaster from preparedness through response and recovery. To support community resilience planning in the Rural Disaster Resilience Project (RDRP) Planning Framework, a print-based version of the guide book and a suite of resilience planning tools were field tested in three communities representing different regions and geographies within Canada. The results provide a cross-case study analysis from which lessons learned can be extracted. The authors demonstrate that by encouraging resilience thinking and proactive planning even very small rural communities can harness their inherent strengths and resources to enhance their own disaster resilience, as undertaking the resilience planning process was as important as the outcomes.The resilience enhancement planning process must be flexible enough to allow each community to act independently to meet their own needs. The field sites demonstrate that any motivated group of individuals, representing a neighborhood or some larger area could undertake a resilience initiative, especially with the assistance of a bridging organization or tool such as the RDRP Planning Framework.

scholarly journals (A313) Role of Physiatrists in Post Disaster Scenarios - Lessons Learned from Pakistan, China and Haiti Earthquakes

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S1) ◽  
pp. s105-s105
Author(s):  
F.A. Rathore ◽  
C. O'connell ◽  
J. Li
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Spinal Cord Injuries ◽  
Community Integration ◽  
Functional Restoration ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Spinal Trauma ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Post Disaster

IntroductionPhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation is a goal oriented and patient centered specialty which focuses on functional restoration and quality of life of persons with disability. The patterns of injuries among survivors of recent disasters have, range from mild (single limb fracture) to catastrophic (spinal cord injury, amputation, traumatic brain injury). Historically physiatrists have not participated the acute disaster management phase or in the emergent post disaster rehabilitation planning. This task is usually relegated to the trauma, orthopedic and general surgeons.MethodologyAuthors had firsthand experience in the acute and emergent care and rehabilitation of trauma patients after Pakistan, China and Haiti earthquakes. An electronic literature search (English, 1965–2010, Key words: trauma, rehabilitation, disability, spinal cord injury, amputation, disaster, nerve injury) was carried out. Experience sharing through committees, online forum, and communications were conducted with physiatry colleagues internationally.ResultsIn these three recent earthquakes, Physiatrists provided direct patient care, including guidance in the evacuation of survivors with pre-existing disabilities, transport of persons with spinal trauma, treatment of wounds, fractures, pain, spinal trauma patients and persons with amputations. Physiatrists devised appropriate plans for conservative management of fractures. Education of local staff and coordination of rehabilitation was initiated. Monitoring, prevention and treatment of secondary complications including prolonged immobility, pressure ulcers, chronic pain, urinary, bowel and respiratory dysfunction was performed. Physiatrists helped in patient counseling and family education.ConclusionPhysiatrists by virtue of their training and skills are in a better position to manage the disabilities, including direction of rehabilitation and community integration, prevention of complications, and education and training of health workers and teams. Timely rehabilitation interventions for Spinal cord injuries and lower limb amputations following the Pakistan, China and Haiti earthquakes resulted in reduction in morbidity and mortality among those with catastrophic injuries.

The Health Sector Response to the 2015 Earthquake in Nepal

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 543-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiva Subedi ◽  
Guna Nidhi Sharma ◽  
Sagar Dahal ◽  
Megha Raj Banjara ◽  
Basu Dev Pandey
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Preventive Health Care ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Epidemiological Surveillance ◽  
Rapid Response Teams ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Richter Scale ◽  
Medical Relief ◽  
Post Disaster

ABSTRACTIn April 2015, Nepal experienced an earthquake of a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter scale that resulted in deaths, morbidities, and infrastructure damage. In the post-earthquake period, 4 different workshops and a national “Lessons Learnt” conference were organized to assess the adequacy of the preparedness and response of the health sector. This article summarizes the main conclusions of these discussions relating to leadership, timely search and rescue, referral operations, medical relief to response activities, awareness campaigns, and support from the national and international levels, and epidemiological surveillance. The earthquake response was channeled through rapid response teams that spanned from the community level to the central level via a cluster coordination approach. Overall, the health sector’s response was concluded to be largely satisfactory because it focused not only on emergency medical care, but also on the resumption of basic health services and preventive health care (eg, hygiene, risk communication) equally. Post-disaster disease outbreak did not occur because effective surveillance and outbreak monitoring was one of the priority actions. However, services related to birthing centers, neonatal services, and vaccinations were impeded in some rural areas. Some weaknesses in planning, coordination, and management were also noted. The lessons learned can provide the impetus to strengthen future preparedness and response mechanisms. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:543–547)

scholarly journals Building-Back-Better in Post-Disaster Recovery: Lessons Learnt from Cyclone Idai-Induced Floods in Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernest Dube ◽  
Gayan Wedawatta ◽  
Kanchana Ginige
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Recovery ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Continuous Training ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Disaster Impact ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Post Disaster

AbstractThis study evaluated the build-back-better considerations in post-disaster recovery, following the devastation of Chipinge and Chimanimani communities by Cyclone Idai-induced floods in 2019. Conducted in 2020, the study assessed the impact of Cyclone Idai-induced floods on communities in Chipinge and Chimanimani Districts of Zimbabwe; evaluated the build-back-better considerations; and analyzed the lessons learned. Based on a qualitative approach and case study design, the study depended on focus group discussions, interviews, and researcher observations to gather data from 85 participants. The findings indicate that Cyclone Idai-induced floods seriously impacted human lives, infrastructure, and livelihoods of communities that had been living with flood risk and vulnerability. Build-back-better considerations were absent in much of the post-disaster recovery effort to address the cyclone disaster impact. There are important early lessons for both practitioners and community members to learn from the Cyclone Idai event. These lessons still can inform policy and disaster risk reduction practice in the medium and long term. Build-back-better should be a mandatory objective in the recovery from any disaster impact. Continuous training is also recommended to improve the disaster knowledge of stakeholders and increase local ability to cope with future disaster events.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document