Emergency Preparedness: Summary of Articles

Whole Community Approach to Emergency Management: Emergency preparedness needs to start taking on the form of allowing the whole community of an area to get involved.  The Whole Community Approach is one which invites every member of a community including non-profit and private organizations, learn how to come together and be prepared for disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.  This type of approach eases the burden of both government and other emergency personnel of the emergency process.  Enveloping all members strengthens them structurally and socially so they may learn to work together when disaster strikes.  Learning the community’s strengths and weaknesses is key in understanding how they will work together at these times. The community leaders will need to participate with all individuals to develop a plan and make it work.

Rodent Control After A Disaster: Disasters kill many rodents but many of them can also find safety.  After a disaster such as Hurricane Katrina, it will take time for rodents, both mice and rats, to regroup and get acquainted with their new surroundings.  However, after they do so, they will return to their normal behavior which humans need to protect themselves from because they carry disease.  There are many preventative things homeowners can do to protect their homes and their loved ones such as keeping garbage covered, placing mesh wiring over holes on the structure of the house that are the size of a dime and larger, keep pet food in a closed container, and store wood away from the home.  When cleaning up rodent areas and dead rodents, precautions are needed such as not stirring up dust if removing nests or sweeping their matter, wearing protective gloves and dust masks, and putting carcasses and other nesting materials into the garbage right away.  

Department of Health and Human Services: Since 1972 the US population does not receive the vaccination for the smallpox virus.  Because of the nature of this virus, it is highly contagious and can spread rapidly, and therefore puts the general population at risk.  The Act encourages for all aspects of research and development to be done for this virus.  The Act covers all of those who do research, administer, and fall under the Covered Countermeasure for persons exposed.  In an emergency situation, all those who work in the health sector or are volunteers within this field are covered under the Act when it is required for the smallpox vaccine to be distributed among the population.

References

A Whole Community Approach to Emergency Management: Principles, Themes, and Pathways for Action. FEMA. 2011. FDOC 104-008-1. fema.gov.

Department of Health and Human Services. Office of the Secretary. Federal Register Volume 73, Number 202. 2008. (61869-61871). gpo.gov.

Rodent Control After a Disaster. DISASTER RECOVERY FACT SHEET. 2014. emergency.cdc.gov.