RLE 4F| Disaster caused by Chemical, Biological, and Radiologic Agents including Natural and Environmental Disasters

Chemical terrorism

the actual or threatened use of toxic chemicals  with intention to cause harm

Bioterrorism

deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or toxins aimed at infecting or damaging humans, animals, or agricultural crops.

Radiologic incidents and emergencies

significant amounts of radioactive material are released, potentially exposing individuals to radiation

Nuclear and Radiologic terrorism

Use of radioactive or nuclear materials to carry out violent or criminal acts

Natural Disaster

A sudden and destructive event caused by natural forces that causes damage to lives, property or environment

Environmental Disaster

A major catastrophic event that affects the natural environment as a result of human activities

HAZMAT Emergency Response

Actions, procedures or strategies used to manage incidents involving hazardous materials

Public Health Surveillance

The ongoing collection, analysis and interpretation of health-related information to improve public health

Decontamination

The process of eliminating or destroying contamination

A

PHASES OF A DISASTER MANAGEMENT

A. PREPAREDNESS

B. MITIGATION

C. PREVENTION

D. RESPONSE

E. RECOVERY

F. EVALUATION

Q:structures the disaster response prior to its occurrence

A

PHASES OF A DISASTER MANAGEMENT

A. PREPAREDNESS

B. MITIGATION

C. PREVENTION

D. RESPONSE

E. RECOVERY

F. EVALUATION

Q:Evaluating potential vulnerabilities

A

PHASES OF A DISASTER MANAGEMENT

A. PREPAREDNESS

B. MITIGATION

C. PREVENTION

D. RESPONSE

E. RECOVERY

F. EVALUATION

Q: Evaluate propensity for disaster to occur

B

PHASES OF A DISASTER MANAGEMENT

A. PREPAREDNESS

B. MITIGATION

C. PREVENTION

D. RESPONSE

E. RECOVERY

F. EVALUATION

Q: Reduce harmful effects of a disaster

B

PHASES OF A DISASTER MANAGEMENT

A. PREPAREDNESS

B. MITIGATION

C. PREVENTION

D. RESPONSE

E. RECOVERY

F. EVALUATION

Q:Limit its impact

C

PHASES OF A DISASTER MANAGEMENT

A. PREPAREDNESS

B. MITIGATION

C. PREVENTION

D. RESPONSE

E. RECOVERY

F. EVALUATION

Q: STOPS a disaster from occurring

D

PHASES OF A DISASTER MANAGEMENT

A. PREPAREDNESS

B. MITIGATION

C. PREVENTION

D. RESPONSE

E. RECOVERY

F. EVALUATION

Q:Actual implementation of disaster plan

D

PHASES OF A DISASTER MANAGEMENT

A. PREPAREDNESS

B. MITIGATION

C. PREVENTION

D. RESPONSE

E. RECOVERY

F. EVALUATION

Q: Organization of activities used to address the event

D

PHASES OF A DISASTER MANAGEMENT

A. PREPAREDNESS

B. MITIGATION

C. PREVENTION

D. RESPONSE

E. RECOVERY

F. EVALUATION

Q: Emergency relief

E

PHASES OF A DISASTER MANAGEMENT

A. PREPAREDNESS

B. MITIGATION

C. PREVENTION

D. RESPONSE

E. RECOVERY

F. EVALUATION

Q: stabilizing and returning the community to pre impact phase or improved status

E

PHASES OF A DISASTER MANAGEMENT

A. PREPAREDNESS

B. MITIGATION

C. PREVENTION

D. RESPONSE

E. RECOVERY

F. EVALUATION

Q:Rebuilding damages

E

PHASES OF A DISASTER MANAGEMENT

A. PREPAREDNESS

B. MITIGATION

C. PREVENTION

D. RESPONSE

E. RECOVERY

F. EVALUATION

Q: Repairs

E

PHASES OF A DISASTER MANAGEMENT

A. PREPAREDNESS

B. MITIGATION

C. PREVENTION

D. RESPONSE

E. RECOVERY

F. EVALUATION

Q: Relocations

E

PHASES OF A DISASTER MANAGEMENT

A. PREPAREDNESS

B. MITIGATION

C. PREVENTION

D. RESPONSE

E. RECOVERY

F. EVALUATION

Q: rehabilitations

F

PHASES OF A DISASTER MANAGEMENT

A. PREPAREDNESS

B. MITIGATION

C. PREVENTION

D. RESPONSE

E. RECOVERY

F. EVALUATION

Q: Evaluate what worked and didn't work

F

PHASES OF A DISASTER MANAGEMENT

A. PREPAREDNESS

B. MITIGATION

C. PREVENTION

D. RESPONSE

E. RECOVERY

F. EVALUATION

Q:Identify problems and challenges

Cyclone

severe storms developed over warm ocean characterized by strong winds, heavy rain and large waves. 

— south pacific and indian ocean

Hurricane

severe storms developed over warm ocean characterized by strong winds, heavy rain and large waves. 

— atlantic and northeast pacific

Typhoon

severe storms developed over warm ocean characterized by strong winds, heavy rain and large waves

 — northwest pacific

Earthquakes

sudden ground tremors caused by tectonic movements along fault lines. May experience aftershocks, landslides, and tsunamis as after effect.

Floods

water submerges normally dry land, often due to prolonged rain, overflowing rivers, dam failures, or storm surges.

Flash floods

rise of water over dry land that occur rapidly after heavy rainfall.

Tsunamis

Sequence of large waves usually caused by undersea earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides, leading to catastrophic flooding along coastlines.

Volcanic Eruptions

when molten rock, gases, and ash escape from beneath the Earth’s surface due to pressure buildup

Wildfires

uncontrolled fires spread quickly across forests or grasslands that damage ecosystems and communities.  

• Mostly due to human negligence

• Common in areas with deciduous trees

Heatwaves

prolonged periods of extreme heat that causes dehydration, heat exhaustion, and fatalities

Air pollutants

harmful substances are in the air

Pesticides

overuse/ mishandling of chemicals used to kill pests leading to soil and water contamination, poisoning of life (human, animal, and plant), and disruption of the ecosystem.

Chemical Spills

when hazardous substances are accidentally released into the environment

• causing burns, poisoning, and long-term ecological damage

Oil Spills

when crude oil or petroleum products are accidentally released into seas, rivers, or land

Nerve agents

Chemicals that affect the nervous system causing muscle paralysis and severe symptoms

• Man-made

• Manufactured for  chemical warfare

Sarin (GB)

Volatile, colorless liquid = evaporates to gas

Soman (GD)

Fruity odor and more persistent than sarin

• Induces seizures

Tabun (GA)

Less volatile than sarin. Faint fruity smell

• Both liquid and vapor forms

VX

Most toxic and persistent

• Oily liquid

• Evaporates slowly

• Single drop on skill is lethal

Vesicants (Blister)

blisters skin and mucous membranes and can be deadly with prolonged exposure.

Sulfur mustard

• Pure form — colorless and odorless liquid 

• Impure form — mustard or garlic-like smell.

Nitrogen mustard

• Pure form — Colorless liquids

  • less volatile and stable in storage than sulfur mustard.

  • Some are used therapeutically in cancer treatment.

Arsenicals (Lewisite)

A colorless liquid with a metallic odor. Absorbs rapidly through the skin, causing immediate pain and irritation, and is highly toxic

Blood (Cyanogenic)

poisons interfere with the body’s ability to use oxygen

Hydrogen Cyanide (AC)

• A colorless, highly volatile liquid or gas with a bitter almond odor. Causes symptoms within seconds and can be fatal within minutes.

Cyanogen Chloride (CK)

 A highly volatile gas with a pungent odor. Similar effects to hydrogen cyanide but with added pulmonary irritation.

Pulmonary (Choking agents)

damage the respiratory tract, particularly the lungs, causing chemical irritation and pulmonary edema

Chlorine Gas

• A greenish-yellow gas with a bleach-like odor; irritates eyes, skin, and lungs.

Phosgene Gas

• A colorless gas with a smell like freshly cut grass or hay. Symptoms may be delayed, making it more insidious.

Riot Control (Tear Gases)

Designed to temporarily incapacitate by irritating the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. 

Tear Gas (CS)

Causes severe eye and respiratory irritation, temporary blindness, and breathing difficulty

Pepper Spray (OC)

• Derived from capsaicin; causes immediate pain, inflammation, and respiratory irritation lasting 15 minutes to hours.

Bacillus anthracis

Anthrax

Causative Agent:

Clostridium botulinum

Botulism

Causative Agent:

Yersinia pestis

Plague

Causative Agent:

Francisella tularensis

Tularemia

Causative Agent:

Variola virus

Smallpox

Causative Agent:

RNA viruses (Filoviridae, Arenaviridae, Flaviviridae, etc.)

Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHFs)

Causative Agent:

Radiologic incidents

any instance in which people or the environment are exposed to radiation or radioactivity through accident or misuse

Radiologic emergency

any radiological incident in which there is the risk of injury or death, even if that risk is not from the radiation itself.

Hot zone (Contamination Zone)

Triage:

IN FIELD

the innermost area where basic, life-saving care is performed under Full PPE to control contamination

Warm zone (Decontamination Zone)

Triage:

IN FIELD

located 300 ft upwind and uphill, dedicated to decontamination and rapid triage/stabilization

Cold zone (Support Zone)

Triage:

IN FIELD

adjacent to the Warm Zone, which contains decontaminated patients and provides intensive medical treatment, thorough assessment, and preparation for transport.

Warm zone 

Triage

IN HOSPITAL

is the area immediately adjacent to the Emergency Department (ED), containing resources like a water source and barriers, and its primary function is to hold and process patients who need to undergo decontamination before moving indoors

Clean zone

Triage

IN HOSPITAL

the designated treatment area inside the ED where patients are guaranteed to be contamination-free and where they receive definitive and intensive lifesaving medical care.