Vocabulary List

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2023b)

• Disaster: An event in which a community undergoes severe danger and suffers such losses to persons and/or property that the resources available within the community are placed in a challenging situation.

• Natural Disaster: A natural event such as a flood, earthquake, or hurricane that causes great damage or loss of life.

• Human-caused Disaster: Man-made disasters have an element of human intent, negligence, or error involving a failure of a man-made system.

• Terrorism: The unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.

• Pandemic: A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease over a whole country or the world at a particular time.

• Epidemic: A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.

Objectives

This Week's Objectives:

• Distinguish between natural and man-made disasters by providing examples of each.

• Describe how acts of terrorism have impacted and changed the field of emergency management.

• Identify the health and safety concerns for disasters and emergencies.

Introduction to Disasters

In the book of Isaiah, chapter 29 (“Isaiah, Chapter 29,” n.d.), we learn about how the Nephites will speak as a voice from the dust. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah also prophesies of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon. In this same chapter of the Old Testament, there is a glimpse to disasters in ancient times. We read in Isaiah 29:6, “Thou shalt be visited of the Lord of hosts with thunder, and with earthquakes, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.” We can learn of other disasters in the scriptures, but Isaiah identifies five: thunder (and lightning), earthquakes, storms, very strong wind (tempests), and wildfires. 

(Zibulewsky, 2001)

The World Health Organization defines disaster as “a sudden ecologic phenomenon of sufficient magnitude to require external assistance” (World Health Organization, n.d.-a). Ecologic meaning the relationship between living things and their environments; and how an event can be large enough to put a community at risk. Of great importance in understanding disasters is how priorities are managed, including the protection and preservation of life, property and infrastructure: the life of humans and animals; properties such as homes, schools, businesses and land; and infrastructure such as water, power, farms, supply chains, roads, hospitals and pharmacies, and first responder systems.  

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023)

But to adequately prepare for hazards and respond to disasters, it is helpful to organize disasters into two groups: natural and man-made. Among others, natural disasters can include the following:

• Earthquakes

• During an earthquake, you may hear a roaring or rumbling sound that gradually gets louder. You may also feel a rolling sensation that starts out gently and, within a second or two, grows violent.

• You may first be jarred by a violent jolt. A second or two later, you may feel shaking and find it difficult to stand up or move from one room to another.

• Hurricanes

• Hurricanes are dangerous and destructive. Known also as cyclones and typhoons in other parts of the world, hurricanes cause high winds, flooding, heavy rain, and storm surges.

• Typhoons

• A tropical storm in the region of the Indian or Western Pacific oceans.

• If it's above the North Atlantic, central North Pacific, or Eastern North Pacific oceans (Florida, Caribbean Islands, Texas, Hawaii, and so on), it is called a hurricane. If it hovers over the Northwest Pacific Ocean (usually East Asia) or Indian ocean, it is called a typhoon.

• Tsunami

• A series of enormous ocean waves caused by earthquakes, underwater landslides, or volcanic eruptions. 

• Tornadoes

• A mobile, destructive vortex of violent rotating winds having the appearance of a funnel-shaped cloud and advancing beneath a large storm system. 

• During a tornado, people face hazards from extremely high winds and risk being struck by flying and falling objects.

• Floods

• A flood is an overflow of water that submerges land that is usually dry.

• A flash flood is a sudden local flood, typically due to heavy rain.

• Extreme heat

• Heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable. However, many people are killed by extreme heat every year around the world. 

• Extreme cold

• In regions relatively unaccustomed to winter weather, near freezing temperatures are considered extreme cold. Whenever temperatures drop decidedly below normal and as wind speed increases, heat can leave your body more rapidly. These cold weather related conditions may lead to serious health problems.

• Volcanic eruptions

• Volcanoes can produce ash, toxic gases, flash floods of hot water and debris, lava flows, and fast-moving flows of hot gases and debris. Some dangers from volcanoes can be predicted ahead of time while others may occur with little or no notice after an eruption. Each volcano and situation is unique.

• Wildfires

• A wildfire is an unplanned fire that burns in a natural area such as a forest, grassland, or prairie.

• Exposure to air pollutants in wildfire smoke can irritate the lungs, cause inflammation, alter immune function, and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections (for example, COVID-19 or asthma).

• Pandemics and epidemics

• A pandemic is a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease over a whole country or the world at a particular time.

• An epidemic is a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.

• An endemic (of a disease) regularly occurs within an area or community.

• Power outage

• A power outage (also called a powercut, a power out, a power failure, a power blackout, a power loss, or a blackout) is the loss of the electrical power network.

• Avalanche

• An avalanche is a large amount of snow moving quickly down a mountain. People caught beneath the heavy snow from an avalanche may not be able to dig out.

• Thunderstorms

• Thunderstorms are dangerous storms that include lightning. They usually include powerful winds, hail, and lightning, and they can cause flash flooding and tornadoes. 

• Landslides and mudslides

• Landslides occur when masses of rock, earth, or debris move down a slope. 

• Debris flows, also known as mudslides, are a common type of fast-moving landslide that tends to flow in channels.

(U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2023a)

Among others, man-made disasters can include the following:

• Fires

• A human-caused fire is usually either planned or caused by an accident. A human-caused fire usually burns in a natural area, home, property, or other structure. 

• Hazardous material exposures

• A hazardous material spill is an uncontrolled release of a substance that is potentially hazardous to humans, animals and/or the environment. 

• Nuclear explosions

• A nuclear weapon is a device that uses a nuclear reaction to create an explosion. Nuclear devices range from a small portable device carried by an individual to a weapon carried by a missile. 

• A nuclear explosion may occur with a few minutes warning or without warning.

• War and conflict

• War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, or societies. 

• Conflict generally indicates violence, destruction, and fatalities.

• Pollution

• Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change. 

• Pollution can occur in the air, water, or land, and it can have adverse effects on humans and animals.

• Active shooter

• An active shooter is an individual engaged in attempting to kill people in a confined space or populated area. 

• Active shooters typically use firearms and have no pattern when selecting their victims.

• Transportation accidents (for example, trains, large trucks)

• A transport accident is any accident or incident that occurs during any type of transportation, including road, rail, marine or water, and air transportation.

• Cyberattacks

• Cyberattacks are malicious attempts to access or damage a computer network or system.

One real world example of a natural disaster is the February 2023 earthquake in the region of Turkey and Syria. The initial earthquake registered at a 7.8 magnitude. More than 20,000 people died from the numerous earthquakes and aftershocks in Turkey and Syria, and tens of thousands were injured. Visit World Health Organization: Earthquake in Turkey and the Syrian Arab Republic (World Health Organization, 2023) to learn how the World Health Organization responded to this disaster in Turkey and Syria.

One real world example of a man-made disaster is the war situation in Ukraine, which commenced in February 2022. The impact of this disaster and crisis can be measured by the number of deaths, injuries, those missing, the number displaced, the outcome on life, property, and infrastructure. Visit World Health Organization: Ukraine emergency (World Health Organization, n.d.-b) to learn more on how the World Health Organization is assisting with emergency and humanitarian needs in Ukraine. 

Terrorism and Its Impact on Emergency Preparedness

On September 11, 2001, two airplanes crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. At the time, these were two of the five tallest buildings in the world. A third plane crashed into the Pentagon outside Washington, DC. The Pentagon is the military headquarters for the United States. A fourth plane crashed in a remote part of Pennsylvania after passengers discovered that the plane had been overtaken and subsequently coordinated an effort to stop reaching the intended target of Washington, DC. These four incidents killed nearly 3,000 people and launched worldwide efforts to prevent such attacks.  

Other acts of terrorism have been experienced around the world, including France, Tunisia, Kuwait, Kenya, Nigeria, China, Afghanistan, Russia, Norway, and many other countries. The locations of these acts of terrorism are diverse, including cultural and religious settings, downtown districts, businesses, and gatherings with a large number of people.

One unfortunate misstep with 9/11 is that airports were not adequately prepared to properly screen for weapons and other harmful material, as this type of policy was not fully realized. It is believed that the hijackers used knives or razor blades in their attacks. In September 2001, those items could have made it through security, thus allowing for the weapons to be used on the airplane. Tighter airport security controls were necessary in order to prevent future attacks. 

For this reason and with 9/11 serving as a catalyst, governments around the world hastened efforts to prepare for, respond to, mitigate, and recover from terrorism. As one example, the United States Department of Homeland Security organized the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) in 1998. Once 9/11 occurred, a stream of funding was made available to the CDP in order to increase the number of trainings offered and the number of first responders who could be trained. The CDP focuses on all-hazards training in order to maximize the effectiveness and value of the dollars being spent to protect against any type of hazard, disaster or emergency, including terrorism. Visit Center for Domestic Preparedness to learn more about the CDP and how it is preparing communities to prepare for and respond to terrorism. 

Health and Safety Concerns

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017a)

As we have seen in our study the field of public health, during any disaster or emergency, health and safety must remain a top priority for all involved. For example, the support for health workers is critical so they can limit the number of casualties. The first people to respond to a disaster or emergency are sometimes called first responders. Furthermore, health systems and facilities such as hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies must be protected to the greatest extent possible so that they remain in operation and accessible to those who need essential medical services. In line with health systems, it is important to ensure that medical supplies—including oxygen and medicines—are available to those who need them.

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019a)

Other concerns include animal and insect related hazards after a disaster including wild or stray animals, mosquitos, rodents, and others. According to guidelines from the local animal control authority, individuals should avoid wild or stray animals, call local authorities to handle animals, secure all food sources, and remove any animal carcasses as soon as they can. For more information, contact your local animal shelter or services, a veterinarian, or an organization caring for animals for advice on dealing with pets and stray or wild animals after an emergency. 

Disasters can also introduce a risk of mosquitoes, which are known to carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Mosquito-borne diseases include malaria, dengue fever, West Nile Virus, Zika virus, and yellow fever. Consider these details in terms of mosquito risk from a disaster or emergency:

• Adult mosquitoes do not generally survive high winds during a hurricane.

• Immediately following a hurricane, flooding occurs. Mosquito eggs laid in the soil by floodwater mosquitoes during previous floods hatch. This results in very large populations of floodwater mosquitoes. Most of these mosquitoes are considered nuisance mosquitoes.

• In general, nuisance mosquitoes do not spread viruses that make people sick. The types of mosquitoes that can spread viruses may increase two weeks to two months after a hurricane, especially in areas that did not flood but received more rainfall than usual.

The best way to prevent infection from diseases spread by mosquitoes is to prevent mosquito bites. Mosquitoes bite during the day and night. Take the following steps to protect yourself and your family:

• Use a quality insect repellent.

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

• Take steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors.

• Remove standing water.

When it comes to rodents, strive to prevent contact with rodents by doing the following:

• Remove food sources, water, and items that can provide shelter for rodents.

• Wash dishes, pans, and cooking utensils immediately after use.

• Dispose of garbage and debris as soon as possible.

After a disaster, be aware of snakes that may be swimming in the water to get to higher ground and those that may be hiding under debris or other objects. Consider these safety measures about snakes:

• If you see a snake, back away from it slowly and do not touch it.

• If you or someone you know are bitten, try to see and remember the color and shape of the snake, which can help with treatment of the snake bite.

• Keep the bitten person still and calm. This can slow down the spread of venom if the snake is venomous. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Apply first aid if you cannot get the person to the hospital or medical care right away.

• Lay or sit the person down with the bite below the level of the heart.

• Tell him or her to stay calm and still.

• Wash the wound with warm soapy water immediately.

• Cover the bite with a clean, dry dressing.

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019b)

A disaster can easily disrupt the food supply at any time. Emergency managers can make recommendations, which includes having at least a 3-day supply of food and water on hand. Keep the following type of food:

• Long storage life.

• Requires little or no cooking, water, or refrigeration, in case utilities are disrupted.

• Meets the needs of babies or other family members who are on special diets.

• Meets the needs of pets.

• Are not very salty or spicy, as these foods increase the need for drinking water, which may be in short supply.

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017b)

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death if inhaled. When power outages occur during natural disasters and other emergencies, the use of alternative sources of fuel or electricity for heating or cooking can cause carbon monoxide to build up in a home, garage, or camper and to poison the people and animals inside.

As we will continue to learn throughout this course, there are many ways to prepare for an emergency. Depending on the area you live in, consider the following actions to prepare for an emergency:

(12 Ways to Prepare, 2018)

• Sign up for alerts and warnings (for example, text, email, phone).

• Make a plan.

• Save money for urgent needs.

• Practice emergency drills.

• Test family communication plan.

• Safeguard documents.

• Plan with neighbors.

• Make your home safer.

• Know evacuation routes.

• Assemble or update supplies like non-perishable food and water.

• Get involved in your community.

• Take pictures of your home and get your home insured if you can.

References

12 Ways to Prepare. (2018). https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2021-06/ready_12-ways-to-prepare_postcard.pdf

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017a, August 28). Health and Safety Concerns for All Disasters. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/alldisasters.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017b, August 29). Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After a Disaster. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/carbonmonoxide.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019a, January 29). Fact Sheet: Protect Yourself from Animal- and Insect-Related Hazards After a Disaster. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/animalhazards/facts.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019b, January 29). Food and Water Needs: Preparing for a Disaster or Emergency. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater/prepare.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, July 14). Natural Disasters and Severe Weather. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/index.html

Isaiah, Chapter 29. (n.d.). In The Holy Bible, KJV.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2023a, September 5). Disasters and Emergencies. Ready.Gov. https://www.ready.gov/be-informed

U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2023b, September 5). Ready. Ready.Gov. https://www.ready.gov/

World Health Organization. (n.d.-a). Health emergencies list. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/emergencies/situations

World Health Organization. (n.d.-b). Ukraine Emergency. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/emergencies/situations/ukraine-emergency

World Health Organization. (2023, February 6). Earthquake Türkiye and the Syrian Arab Republic, 2023. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/emergencies/situations/Earthquake-T%C3%BCrkiye-Syria

Zibulewsky, J. (2001). Defining Disaster: The Emergency Department Perspective. Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings, 14(2), 144–149. https://doi.org/10.1080/08998280.2001.11927751