OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Define Emergencies and list its types.
- Define Disasters and list its phases.
- Describe the effects of disasters.
Emergency
Any situation that requires an immediate response,
saving lives as lives can be at risk due to an emergency situation,
i.e., road traffic accidents, hard falls, or high-impact injuries, drowning, and domestic fights.
Types of emergencies
Natural Emergencies
- Earthquakes
- Floods
- Hurricanes/Cyclones
- Tornadoes
- Wildfires
- Landslides
Man-Made Emergencies
- Industrial accidents (chemical spills, explosions)
- Terrorist attacks
- Nuclear disasters
- Transportation accidents (plane crashes, train derailments)
- Civil unrest (riots, armed conflicts)
Disaster
Disaster can be defined as events that cause serious disruption in the services that are essential for the normal operation of a society and frequently result in widespread human and environmental losses.
Phases of Disaster
- Pre-Disaster Phase
- Warning Phase
- Emergency Phase
- Rehabilitation Phase
- Recovery/ Re-Construction Phase
Emergency Management Cycle
- Mitigation – Reducing disaster risks (e.g., building codes, flood barriers).
- Preparedness – Training, drills, emergency kits, and evacuation plans.
- Response – Search and rescue, medical aid, and relief distribution.
- Recovery – Rebuilding infrastructure and restoring communities.
Effects of Disaster
The effects of disaster are given below:
Environmental Effects
Transportation
- Inability to assess damage accurately
- Ambulances prevented from reaching victims
- Police prevented from reaching damaged areas
- Fire departments prevented from reaching fires
- Flow of needed supplies interrupted
Structures
- Damaged hospitals unable to function normally
- Increased risk of injury from falling debris
Communication Systems
- Victims unable to call for help
- Coordination of services hampered
Utilities
- Loss of utilities
- Increased risk of fire resulting from gas or electrical problems
- Inadequate water supply
- Increased risk to public health
Water Service
- Firefighting capabilities restricted
- Medical facilities hampered
Fuel Supplies
- Increased risk of fire or explosion from fuel line ruptures
- Flow of needed supplies interrupted
Effects on Health
- Casualties occur mainly at the time and place of impact and require immediate medical care.
- The risks of increased disease transmission take longer to develop and are greatest where there is crowding and reduced standards of sanitation.
- Disaster creates needs for food, shelter, and primary health care.
Economic Effects
- Disasters disrupt rather than destroy economies.
- Economic activities are severely curtailed.
- People must leave their jobs and devote their time to disaster-related activities, such as search and rescue.
- Whether or not an economy can recover?
Administrative Effects
- Effects on community leadership
- Disruption of formal organizations
- Damage to critical facilities and lifelines
- Disruption of transportation (and isolation of resources)
Preparedness
Plans, procedures, forming solutions, and coordination in preparation of a probable or emergency situation, including evacuation shelters, special needs, and business preparedness.
Final Words
Disasters and emergencies, whether natural or man-made, can strike at any time, leaving devastating effects on lives, infrastructure, and economies. Understanding the different types of emergencies, the phases of disasters, and their wide-ranging impacts is crucial for effective preparedness and response.
By implementing strong mitigation strategies, improving emergency preparedness, and ensuring efficient response and recovery plans, communities can reduce risks and enhance resilience. Governments, organizations, and individuals must work together to build safer environments and ensure rapid assistance when disasters occur.
Remember, prevention and preparedness save lives. Stay informed, stay prepared, and contribute to a disaster-resilient society.
Emma Lee, an expert in fire safety with years of firefighting and Rescuer experience, writes to educate on arescuer.com, sharing life-saving tips and insights.