Identifying the First and Last Responders in Disaster Situations | TECHNO TIMING

The question: which partner is often the first to arrive and last to leave the incident site of a disaster?  When disasters happen, it’s their local governments that will be in charge and they will deploy many services fast to help, coordinate rescues and protect those affected including individuals and families. Here’s how local authorities act as first responders in disasters; this will focus on public health facilities and local police.

Quick and Long Term Presence of Local Government

To respond fast to a disaster, local police, fire department, ambulance and health department are deployed. They work 24/7 to provide emergency assistance, deploy search teams and assess the damage caused by the disaster. To maintain order in that place for long is a must for them.

Coordination with State and Federal Agencies

Disaster management in local government is done in tandem with US and state government agencies. They also help disaster victims like other agencies do. So all must be considered in a disaster.

Local Government Response Components

The basic response of local government are determined by contributions from community law enforcement officers, public health agencies and medical providers. They are:

• Local Police:Those local police agencies that maintain public order, safety and provide assistance during or after disasters should deploy fast to save lives of victims.
• Public Health Agencies: Medical assistance and public health coordination can be done through public health agencies when disasters happen. In this case, the expertise of these agencies in public health is crucial as it helps them to address the impact of natural disaster to human life.
• Medical Providers: Medical emergencies and health workers are among the first to provide up-to-date healthcare services to those whose lives are affected by a calamity. The emergency staffs fast response and progressive healthcare support is vital to save lives and address the health needs of the affected population. Also Read: Elevate Your Style with a Pair of Stylish Sneakers

Teamwork

To have a good recovery after a disaster, there must be collaboration between local government agencies, state and federal agencies, private sector organizations and local communities. This covers everything in a disaster and meets the different needs of individuals and societies affected by it.

Conclusion

The role of local government in disasters can’t be overemphasized. Local police, public health agencies and medical providers must be present for long hours to ensure natural disaster safety, security and management. This is the foundation of a disaster resilient and inclusive framework through their partnership with communities at local level, state and federal government and private sectors.

FAQs

What do local police do in disaster response?

In a disaster, police will do surveillance to ensure people are safe and secure. In disaster management, distribution is one of its components. Usually, relief collection points are located in the hinterland area.

How do public health providers support disaster management?

Disaster preparedness planning should involve public health professionals so resources will be available. Training and capacity building of professionals and the system to address the situation should be well thought of.

Why are medical providers the last to leave a disaster site?

After a disaster, medical providers are usually the last to leave. They don’t move until they have seen to it that every patient has been attended to and has received all the needed treatment. This includes patient stabilization, pain relief or early evacuation of the severely ill or injured among others. Doctors may also see it necessary to stay behind to control movement and give directions to other operators so there is a smooth transition from one stage of care to another with minimal chances of injury or unnecessary deaths.

What do police do in disaster response?

Search and Rescue (SAR):- The main duty during an emergency. Policemen should be trained and equipped to start the early rescue operation to apply “platinum 15”. This will enable them to give first hand help to the affected people before specialized forces arrive.

What do local government do in disaster management?

Respond to disasters – both natural and human induced. Educate the community on how to handle these events. Reduce people’s dependence on government for emergency rescue and relief operations at provincial and national level.

How do local government respond to natural disasters?

Immediate Response and Relief Efforts: When a disaster occurs, government agencies will implement their plans. Thus, emergency managers will be dispatched to the affected areas to do rescue operations, give immediate relief to victims and assess the damage among others.

What role do local police play in emergency preparedness response and recovery?

When out of area professionals start to respond to a disaster, it means local officials also have a role to play in guiding the response. Some big disasters will usually involve first responders from nearby towns, state officials or even military personnel among others.

What do healthcare providers do in disaster management?

Disaster prevention is based on risk, hazard and vulnerability that health professionals can easily identify. Health providers also know health from disease while preventing is different from treating.

Why is public health response important in disaster management?

– Protection of vulnerable people and infrastructure.

– Protection of health facilities and public health services.

– to strengthen the country’s overall capacity to manage all types of emergencies.

What are the public health impacts of disaster?

Their immediate effects are shock and grief, but loss of homes, businesses and loved ones often translates to long term problems like post traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety. Eventually natural disasters lead to increase in alcohol and drug abuse.

What is the role of government Organisations in disaster management?

Immediately after a disaster occurs, government agencies move in. The area is cleared of onlookers and bystanders. Search and rescue is conducted by emergency managers and first responders who also provide medical assistance to victims. This includes damage assessment among others.

What is the role of health care providers in disaster management?

The basic concepts of disaster reduction, risk, hazard and vulnerability are familiar to health workers. They also know health and disease and prevention and treatment.

What is the role of medicine in disaster management?

Disaster medicine is a medical specialty that serves as a dual function between providing healthcare services to victims and medically related disaster preparedness, disaster planning, disaster response and recovery leadership throughout the disaster cycle.

What are the disasters that hospitals encounter?

Some of the external disasters are earthquake, mass casualty incident or epidemic where you can’t tell if the hospital is affected or not but it’s very essential in the overall response. So disasters will present three scenarios.

What is lama leave against medical advice?

Discharge against medical advice, DAMA is when patients leave hospital without the permission of their attending doctor. Left against medical advice or LAMA means patient leaves hospital despite what his doctor says.