Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2brh9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T18:55:38.988Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Washington State Disaster Risk and Preparedness: A Primer for Health Care Providers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 April 2020

Stephen C. Morris*
Affiliation:
Emergency Medicine and Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WashingtonUSA

Abstract

Disaster in Washington State (USA) is inevitable. It is incumbent on health care providers to understand the practice environment as it will be affected by disasters. This means understanding the basic concepts of emergency management, local to national emergency response structure, and the risks and vulnerabilities of the region where one works. This understanding will help health care providers anticipate and prepare for disaster response and recovery. Washington State has many unique features with regard to climate and geography, population, public health, and general infrastructure that create significant vulnerabilities to disaster and strengths with regard to potential response and recovery. This report attempts to define and contextualize emergency management and to condense the extensive research and planning that has been conducted in Washington State surrounding disaster assessment, planning, mitigation, and response from a health care providerʼs prospective. The aim is to increase awareness of and preparation for disaster-related topics among health care providers by creating informed responders.

Type
Special Report
Copyright
© World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2020

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Independent Study Program Distance Learning. Federal Emergency Management Agency Web site. https://training.fema.gov. Accessed November 12, 2019.Google Scholar
Emergency Management Training and Exercises. Washington Military Department Web site. http://mil.wa.gov/emergency-management-division/training-and-exercise/training. Accessed November 12, 2019.Google Scholar
Independent Study Program Distance Learning. FEMA Web site. https://training.fema.gov/hiedu/docs/terms%20and%20definitions/terms%20and%20definitions.pdf. Accessed June 10, 2019.Google Scholar
World Health Organization. United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. Terminology: Basic Terms of Disaster Risk Reduction. https://www.unisdr.org/we/inform/publications/7817. Published 2009. Accessed October 29, 2019.Google Scholar
Hazard Safety Profile. Washington Military Department Web site. http://mil.wa.gov/uploads/pdf/HAZ-MIT-PLAN/Dam_Safety_Hazard_Profile.pdf. Accessed June 10, 2019.Google Scholar
United Nations. United Nations World Disaster Reduction Campaign. https://www.unisdr.org/2002/campaign/pa-camp02-kit-eng.htm. Published 2002. Accessed October 29, 2019.Google Scholar
Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. http://mil.wa.gov/uploads/pdf/PLANS/final-wacemp-basic-plan-june2016-signed.pdf. Accessed June 10, 2019.Google Scholar
Emergency Management Plan. http://mil.wa.gov/emergency-management-division. Accessed November 12, 2019.Google Scholar
Census Document. United States Census Bureau Web site. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045216/53. Accessed June 25, 2019.Google Scholar
Infrastructure Report Card. American Society of Civil Engineers Web site. http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2013ReportCardWA.pdf. Accessed October 19, 2019.Google Scholar
Health Care Preparedness and Response Capabilities. United States Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary of Disaster Preparedness and Response Web site. https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/hpp/reports/Documents/2017-2022-healthcare-pr-capablities.pdf. Accessed October 29, 2019.Google Scholar