Kentucky Disasters and the Nurses Role
Kentucky is a State in the United States located at the East South-Central Region. Kentucky is among the Commonwealth States among them Pennsylvania, Virginia and Massachusetts. Among the most extensive States in the United States, Kentucky is placed at position thirty seven; and among the most populous States, Kentucky is placed at position twenty sixth. Bluegrass State is the nickname of Kentucky, basing on the fertile soil that supports the growth of bluegrass (Baird, 2007).
Potential disasters
Kentucky has experienced a number of disasters, the worst disasters being in the coal mining industries like Darby mine number one disaster, Martin County Coal Scurry Spill and Hurricane Creek Mine disaster. Fire disasters in Kentucky identify with Beverly Hills Supper Club fire and Louisville Sewer explosions. Natural disasters identify with Hurricanes, Earthquakes and Tornadoes. Transportation disasters identify with Shepherdsville train wreck, Brooks derailment, Prestonsburg bus disaster and Carrollton bus collision. The number of disasters in Kentucky is limitless as the world changes with socialization and globalization. Disasters are induced by human activities, natural phenomenon and through technical aspects on socio-economic systems that are vulnerable (KCSS, 2008).
Kentucky in the twenty first century is prone to diverse disasters resulting in fire disasters, coal mining disasters, transportation disasters and natural disasters among others, with a probability of causing mass casualties. Some of the predictable disasters identify with fire disasters, coal mining disasters. Predictable disasters in Kentucky identify with social disasters examples being social unrest, terrorism and riots among others. Natural disasters are also predictable although the magnitude of the devastation is not known (KCSS, 2008). Examples of natural disasters are volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tornados, hurricane, wildfires and disease outbreaks among others. Technological disasters are not predictable, examples being explosives, toxic spills, transportation accidents and radio-isotopes emissions among others (Baird, 2007).
Disaster management is part of the measures taken by human beings in minimizing or preventing deaths, injuries and destruction. Disaster management incorporates management and organization of responsibilities and resources in dealing with emergency humanitarian aspects in response, preparedness and recovery and in making sure that the impact of the disasters are minimized. Disaster management classifies disasters in types and the focuses on disaster prevention, disaster preparedness, disaster recovery and disaster relief (Collins, 2000).
Disaster management in Kentucky
Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM) is the regulatory body concerned with the disaster management in the State. Surveys have shown that KYEM is part of the Kentucky Department of Military Affairs, with the functions and roles of KYEM being preset by the Kentucky Revised Statues chapter 39 as a legislative action (KCSS, 2008). KYEM offices are in the Boone National Guard Center with outlets distributed all over the commonwealth (Baird, 2007).
The vision of KYEM argues that the emergency unit is a resilient commonwealth, secure, prepared and safe in dealing with disasters and emergencies through efforts and programs in superior teams that are professionally led and staffed in dealing with any arising issues which would result to mass casualties. The mission of KYEM is to restore and protect the Kentucky commonwealth (Collins, 2000).
KYEM coordinates with the government of the United States in managing any arising emergencies; a sound example is the coordination of the federal program through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), where NFIP works hand in hand with the Kentucky Division of Water. KYEM encourages participation of the general public in dealing with the emergency issues. Participation of the community is voluntary; KYEM has facilitated participation of the community through alerts via text messages in the mobile phones, Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on computers and phones, KYEM public photos and KYEM social media among other models (KCSS, 2008).
KYEM has agents all over the Kentucky State that monitors the probabilities of disasters. Disasters disrupt the normal activities of people in Kentucky. KYEM encourages closer interaction between communities and the authorities. The collaboration is believed to foster protection from disasters (Baird, 2007).
Social and cultural factors in disaster planning
Communities in Kentucky are influenced by the social and cultural factors. Disasters are natural or manmade, it has been noted that disasters irrespective of the causes results in psychopathology among the affected individuals. A number of studies have indicated that disasters have an influence on the mental health of the affected individuals. The extent of the anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress disorder and panic disorders are among other mental disorders that are influenced by social, cultural and economic factors (Collins, 2000).
Complex emergencies influence social and cultural issues that have a stake on the economic, political, health care and social cultural infrastructures. Complex emergencies are subjected to complex interventions by using strategies that mitigate disasters. Disasters damage social and health services (KCSS, 2008). In Kentucky, there are vulnerable populations with special needs, such as mobility impaired, prisoners and the homeless people in the society among others.
Preparedness of emergencies is a shared responsibility; people in Kentucky are encouraged to learn basic skills in dealing and coping with emergencies. Emergency workers in Kentucky are trained in offering special support to people with special needs in the society and vulnerable people in the community. Caregivers are expected to coordinate with emergency workers in offering the much needed support among the people with special needs and among the disabled people.
Plans for evacuation in Kentucky are clearly documented, in that emergencies and disasters affect each and every person living in Kentucky, and that the main challenge in evacuating disabled people and people with special needs is compounded on the overreliance to elevators, electrical power, accessible communication and accessible transportation (Collins, 2000). Such benefits are compromised in times of disasters hence making the evacuation efforts tricky and complex (Baird, 2007). Emergency preparedness involves three major aspects identifying with knowing the risks, making a sound plan and getting the relevant emergency kit. Municipal emergency management coordinators are put in place in making sure that people with special needs and people with disabilities are attended to in the face of emergencies.
Emergency Medical Supplies in Events of Disasters
Kentucky Medical Association (KMA) works under the American Medical Association (AMA) in making sure that the patients receive the best health care even in the times of emergencies. Kentucky health officials are advised to educate the people on how to handle situations in cases of blackouts resulting from emergencies (KCSS, 2008). Majority of hospitals have battery backups, extra oxygen tanks, contacts to the transportation services and dialing emergency contacts are the common methods of dealing with people in need of special services in times of emergencies.
Medical device providers in Kentucky are advised to educate caregivers and patients on the best ways of understanding diverse ways of responding to any forms of emergencies. Preparation and education are the best tools of dealing with emergencies. Hospitals in Kentucky have equipped the caregivers on methods of evacuating people with special needs. It is advised that the caregiver and the person with special needs to communicate and arrive at the desired conclusion, independency of the people with special needs must be respected (Baird, 2007).
References
Baird, N. D. (2007). Healing Kentucky: Medicine in the Bluegrass State. Lexington, Kentucky: The University Press of Kentucky.
Collins, L. R. (2000). Disaster Management and Preparedness. London: CRC Press.
KCSS. (2008). Emergency Management Resource Guide. Kentucky Center for School Safety (KCSS) , 1-147.
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