Disaster Preparedness and Response

Introduction 

On the afternoon of March 11, 2011, Japan was rocked by a magnitude 9 earthquake. The monstrous quake caused a tsunami and nuclear meltdown that claimed more than 18,000 lives, with ripple effects felt the world over. Three years later, approximately 300 tons of radioactive water was still leaking into the Pacific Ocean from the Fukushima Saiichi Nuclear Power Plant, contaminating fish and other marine life important to the Japanese food supply (Oskin, 2013, August).

One of the reasons this disaster has and continues to affect so many lives is the lack of preparedness associated with it. The earthquake largely took scientists and health professionals by surprise. James Goff, a tsunami geologist at the University of New South Wales in Australia, noted, "What has now happened as a result of the 2011 earthquake is a growing recognition of the incredible value of an understanding of tsunami geology" (Oskin, 2013, March). This disaster affected more than just the physical geology of Japan, however. It also affected the health of inhabitants indefinitely. Just as scientists are deeply concerned with preparedness, public health administrators and other professionals must also be well-versed in disaster preparedness.

This week, you explore various public health responsibilities, tasks, and terms and concepts related to disaster preparedness. You also develop a strategy and leadership plan, which is your Final Project.

Objectives 

Students will:

• Analyze key public health responsibilities and tasks in disasters 
• Identify terms and concepts related to disaster preparedness and response 
• Develop a strategy and leadership plan for identified health issue

Week 10 Learning Resources 

This page contains the Learning Resources for this week. Be sure to scroll down the page to see all of this week's assigned Learning Resources. To access select media resources, please use the media player below. 

Required Resources Readings

• Shi, L., & Johnson, J. A. (2014). Novick and Morrow's public health administration: Principles for population-based management (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
  • Chapter 25, "Disaster Preparedness and Public Health Response" (pp. 551-598)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (n.d.-a). Emergency preparedness and response. Retrieved October 6, 2014, from http://emergency.cdc.gov/
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (n.d.-b). Foodborne diseases active surveillance network (FoodNet). Retrieved October 6, 2014, from http://www.cdc.gov/foodnet/
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (n.d.-c). Geographic information systems (GIS) at CDC. Retrieved October 6, 2014, from http://www.cdc.gov/gis/
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response. (2011). A national strategic plan for public health preparedness and response. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/phpr/publications/2011/A_Natl_Strategic_Plan_for_Preparedness_20110901A.pdf
• Public Health Informatics Institute. (n.d.). Common ground: Transforming public health information systems.
• Retrieved October 1, 2014, from http://www.phii.org/
• http://www.cdc.gov/phpr/publications/2011/A_Natl_Strategic_Plan_for_Preparedness_20110901A.pdf

Media

• Laureate Education (Producer). (2014a). Disaster preparedness and response [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 4 minutes.Accessible player--Downloads--Download Video w/CCDownload AudioDownload Transcript

International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR). (n.d.). Stop disasters!: A disaster simulation game from the UN/ISDR [Online game]. Retrieved October 6, 2014, from http://www.stopdisastersgame.org/en/playgame.htmlWeek 10 Discussion

Coordination of Disaster Preparedness

On average, a disaster occurs somewhere in the world every day (Shi & Johnson, 2014). In 2010 alone, more than 296,800 people worldwide died from natural disasters, with attendant economic damages of more than $100 billion. Other types of disasters and hazards include bioterrorism, disease outbreaks, mass casualties from explosions, radiation and chemical emergencies, and more. Although public health organizations cannot be expected to handle all of the responsibilities associated with prevention, mitigation, warning, preparedness, and response, there is no question that disasters have implications for public health for years and sometimes decades. Those in public health administration may find the responsibilities associated with preparing for and responding to disasters overwhelming. To be effective, carrying out these responsibilities effectively requires a multi-organizational response. What are the public health administrative skills needed to lead, coordinate, and collaborate with multiorganizational partners when disaster strikes? 

For this week's Discussion, review the media, especially the media titled Disaster Preparedness and Response. Then select a recent disaster (occurring 3 years ago or less) event or disease outbreak. Research articles from credible sources. 

Consider the involvement of coordination of local, regional, national, and international entities. What roles do leaders play? Who is in charge? What policies are in place? What important laws, rules, and regulations are in place to safeguard? Who are the key organizations to bring to the table? 

Assuming the role of a public health administrator responsible for disaster preparedness and response, briefly describe the disaster you chose. 

Then, review the following questions and select two to answer.

1. Who was in command of that incident? Explain whether or not you think the right organization and individual/s were in command. Provide a rationale for your answer. 
2. How might federal, state, and local resources be coordinated? (International students can refer to provincial, territorial, etc.) 
3. How might state and local agencies and officials work together to plan and respond to this disaster? 
4. What laws, rules, and regulations are important in this situation and why? What other significant issues might they need to deal with and why? 
5. Who is liable if something happens to a person who is helping with the relief effort? Explain how the person would be liable. 
6. How might the national incident management system (NIMS) come into play in this situation?

Post by Day 3 a brief description of the disaster you chose. Then, explain your answers to the two questions you selected. (Refer to them by number in your posting.) Then, assuming the role of a leader in this situation, suggest tasks involved in planning in order to be prepared for future disasters and explain why you are suggesting them. Relate your tasks to the two questions you selected. Be specific and provide examples.

Remember to begin interaction with your colleagues in the Discussion no later than Day 5 and continue engaging through Day 7 by responding to colleagues who chose different questions. Expand on their answers regarding public health responses to disasters by offering additional strategies for disaster planning and preparation. 

Support your work with specific citations from this week's Learning Resources and additional scholarly sources as appropriate. Refer to the Essential Guide to APA Style for Walden Students to ensure that your in-text citations and reference list are correct.