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Non-Institutional Sources of Assistance following a Disaster: Potential Triage and Treatment Capabilities of Neighborhood-based Preparedness Organizations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

David M. Simpson
David M. Simpson*
Affiliation:
Center for Hazards Research and Policy Development, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
*
Associate Director, Center for Hazards Research and Policy Development, University of Louisville, 426 West Bloom Street, Louisville, KY 40208, USA. dave.simpson@louisville.edu
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Abstract

The following paper presents an argument for enhancing and encouraging the development of neighborhood-based disaster preparedness organizations, particularly as a potential medical triage and treatment resource following a disaster. First, theresearch context for the utility of non-institutional sources of post-disaster assistance is outlined, followed by the more specific instance of medical triage and treatment. An emerging model of community disaster preparedness training is described, noting the modules that address disaster medicine. Positive contributions and limitations are addressed looking to disaster and non-disaster experiences. While the potential for non-traditional resources to aid immediate post-disaster response is becoming both more common and more accepted, there are a number of recommendations that would improve the usefulness and value, including: 1) integration with existing emergency care infrastructure; 2) standardization of training; 3) use of coordinated drills between public safety organizations, hospitals, and voluntary sectors; and 4) dedication of more funding to assist in the creation and maintenance of programs. Because of the relative infancy of these community-based programs, and the infrequency of large-scale disasters, there is little, if any, pre-post research that can demonstrate a measured impact on response. More pre-disaster baseline data-gathering efforts are needed, combined with post-disaster evaluative research to understand the utility of these non-traditional resources in terms of overall response, and in particular the ability to assist in areas of disaster medicine practice. One also expects that under these kinds of [disaster] conditions, family members, fellow employees, and neighbors will spontaneously try to help each other. This was the case following the Mexico City earthquake where untrained, spontaneous volunteers saved 800 people. However, 100people lost their lives while attempting to save others. This is a high price to pay and is preventable through training.

Resumen

El presente trabajo pretende fortalecer e incentivar el desarrollo de grupos preparadospara desastres basados en la comunidad, particularmente como un recurso potencial para Triage y tratamiento médico después de un desastre. Primero, se delinea la utilidad de recursos no institucionales en la ayuda post-desastre, seguida por la ayuda más especializada de triage y tratamiento medico. Se describe el surgimiento de un modelo de comunidad entrenada en prevención de desastres, enfatizando los módulos de. medicina de desastres. Contribuciones positivas y limitaciones son analizadas en experiencias con y sin desastre. Mientras que el potencial de recursos de ayuda inmediata post desastre no tradicionales se ban vuelto mas comúnmente aceptados, existen numerosas recomendaciones que pueden mejorar la utilidad y valor de los mismos, estas incluyen: 1) Integración con la infraestructura existente en urgencias; 2) La estandarización del entrenamiento; 3) La coordinación de simulacros entre organizaciones de auxilio, hospitales y voluntarios; 4) Otorgamiento de mayores recursos para la creación y mantenimiento de estos programas. Debido a la relativa juventud de los programas comunitarios y la infrecuencia de desastres mayores, hay poca o ninguna investigación que pueda demostrar el impacto en la respuesta. Se requiere una base de datos pre-desastre, combinada con una investigación evaluatoria post-desastre para entender la utilidad de estos recursos no tradicionales en la respuesta total, y en particular la habilidad de la ayuda en el área de medicina de desastre.

Keywords

communitydisasterdisaster medicinedisaster preparednessneighborhoodprehospitalpreparednesstriage
Type
Public Health and Disasters
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 15 , Issue 4: The Role of Public Health in Disaster Medicine , December 2000 , pp. 73 - 80
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2000

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