Posted: March 24th, 2023

Disaster Management

Lessons from Presentation

The role of the emergency operation plan (EOP) in a disaster situation is among the critical areas of study. Besides, every facility should have a disaster guide to provide direction during an emergency. The first question that every leader should ask is whether individuals are safe. The leader should understand any danger posed to the surrounding people. The second question is whether people are secure. Hence, the leader should know the security level of the building, for example, if there is an active shooter around. The leader should also evaluate the level of preparedness of team members and subsequently provide education and training if knowledge gaps are identified. Although disaster management is a multifaceted area of study, four elements are critical in every disaster department, including preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.

How a Disaster Department or Facility Relates to a Community Disaster Plan

Partnerships and collaborative efforts are fundamental to effective disaster planning and implementation. An effective disaster management plan should align with the overall disaster response (Putra, Kep, Petpichetchian & Maneewat, 2011). Hence, to ensure that the response strategies complement each other, the facility should involve community members during drills and training sessions. Therefore, the approach will ensure that both the community and the facility are working together to achieve a common goal of safety and security.

The disaster plan alignment for both entities will be strengthened if the facility involves the community’s disaster planning team in its preparation stages and vice versa. This way, the two will learn from each other, particularly in the accurate identification of the risks that are likely to occur and when formulating disaster response initiatives that fit into the context of the community needs. The healthcare providers will also apply their knowledge and expertise to the community disaster planners regarding strategies for medical emergencies (Putra et al., 2011). Ultimately, a collaborative effort towards disaster planning will incorporate the facility, law enforcement, shelters, hospitals, food reservoirs, local government, among other community members.

Comparison of the Information with a Future Workplace

Disaster planning and the response are significant skills that all medics should acquire before joining the workplace. Information from the presentation and assignment will enhance proactive participation in planning committees at the facility or community level. The information is also pertinent to rallying community support of a unified plan for tackling emergencies by harnessing the resources of the entire community towards this goal (Schmidt, Davis, Sanders, Chapman, Cisco & Hady, 2011, p. 380). Identifying risks is as important as developing a mitigating plan.

The information is useful in ensuring that every possible risk at the future working place is identified and appropriate steps initiated to address such threats. Besides, the evidence is necessary when preparing for a leadership role in disaster planning and mitigation (Putra et al., 2011). The future worker understands the role of a disaster response team leader and is equipped with the right skills to guide both team and community members, regarding the steps to follow in case of an emergency.

My Involvement in Incorporating the Acquired Information

The information from the presentation will be useful in any disaster situation, whether as a team leader, a planner or just as a medic. Should an emergency occur, I will be aware of the actions to take to keep everyone safe and minimize the adverse effects. The information is also critical in assisting community members involved in an emergency. With the acquired skills, I will link each person to the appropriate services based on current needs. For instance, I can direct the team to care for the injured or search for loved ones. Overall, I am now aware of the complexities involved in disaster planning and management and the critical skills and competencies I require to respond effectively.