Types of Disasters: -
-- Natural (e.g. tornado, diseases, droughts, wildfires, hurricane, or earthquake)
- Man-made (e.g. plane crash, terrorism,
... [Show More] riots, fires, bridge collapse, toxic spill, pollution, or wars)
- Combination (natural/technological) - natural disaster that creates or results in a widespread technological problem
-What is a Natural Disaster? - -- A natural event such as a flood, earthquake, or hurricane that causes great damage or loss of life
-Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) - -- A disaster situation that results in a large number of victims who need the response of multiple organizations; according to Dr. Lewis >100 people affected for a mass casualty incident
-What is multiple casualties range? - -- 1 to 99 individuals
-What is terrorism? - -- The use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political or social aims; unlawful use of force according to the FBI
-What are weapons of mass destruction? - -- Weapon designed to cause death or serious bodily injury; e.g. toxins, chemicals, explosives, biological agents, etc.
-What is Anthrax? - -- Spore-forming gram + bacterium Bacillus antracis; through inhalation is esp. deadly
- S/S: Fevers + chills, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, confusion, dizziness, cough, N/V, stomach pains, headaches, fatigue, body aches are common primarily through inhalation methods
-Bioterrorism - -- The deliberate spread of pathogenic organisms into a community to cause widespread illness, fear, and panic
- E.g. small pox, anthrax, Ebola are category A agents
- E.g. Typhus, ricin toxin, west Nile virus, E.coli, and food safety threats are category B
- Influenza, TB, or rabies are category C and the third highest priority
-Characteristics of Disasters - -- Frequency, predictability, preventability, imminence-speed of onset, scope, and intensity
-Prevention in Disasters - -primary - aimed at preventing the occurrence of a disaster/limiting consequences
- during nondisaster/predisaster stages [Show Less]