DISASTER MANAGEMENT

DR. TAPAS HALDER

SR. M.O.
Northern Coalfields Ltd.

THE DEFINITION
W H O : Any occurrence that
causes damage, ecological
disruption, loss of human life and
deterioration of health and health
services on a scale sufficient to
warrant an extraordinary response
from outside the affected
community.

THE DEFINITION
P A H O : An overwhelming
ecological disruption which
exceeds the capacity of a
community to adjust and
consequently requires assistance
from outside.

THE DEFINITION
W. Nick Carter : It is an event,
natural or manmade, sudden or
progressive, which impacts with
such severity that the affected
community has to respond by
taking exceptional measures.

IN SIMPLE WORDS
It is a catastrophe, a calamity
or a cataclysm which results in
loss of life and property.

DISASTER MANAGEMENT
IT IS THE DISIPLINE THAT
DEALS WITH AND AVOID RISKS AND IMPACT OF A
DISASTER.
INVOLVES IN PREPARING FOR DISASTER BEFORE
IT HAPPENS.
RESPONDS IMMEDIATELY TO THE OUTCOME PRIOR
TO AND FOLLOWING A DISASTER .
DEALS WITH THE PROCESS OF SUPPORTING AND
REBUILDING SOCEITY AFTER A DISASTER.
IS AN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WHICH
IS A CONTINUOUS PROCESS INVOLVING
INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS AND COMMUNITY TO
MANAGE HAZZARDS.

THE EQUATION
DISASTER produces HAZARD makes population
VULNERABLE .
R h = Hazard Specific Risk
V h = Hazard Specific Vulnerability
H = Hazard

Rh=HXVh
More vulnerability means more risk. Disaster
plans
are made according to the risk involved.

CLASSIFICATION
A simplified observation

DISASTER

NATURAL

MANMADE

NATURAL DISASTER
Meteorological Disasters : various kind of storms, cold spells,
drought, heat waves

Typological Disaster : avalanches, landslides, floods

Telluric and Teutonic Disasters : earthquakes, tsunamis,

volcanic eruptions

Biological Disaster : insect swarms, epidemics of communicable

diseases

MANMADE DISASTERS
Civil Disturbances : riots, demonstrations etc.
Conventional Warfare : bombardment, siege etc.
Non Conventional Warfare : nuclear, biological, chemical,
terrorism

Refugees : forced movements of large population usually across

frontiers.

Accidents : transport (land, air or sea), collapse of structures

(building, dam etc.).

Technological Accidents : leak in a chemical plant, mine accident,

nuclear power plant accident etc.

DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF DISASTER

GEOGRAPHY

Impact area : where maximum damage is done by the

impact agent.

Filter area : the relatively undamaged zone from which

reserves, rescue workers enter, evacuation done.
Community aid area : outside the filter area from which
the community, special teams, organizations operate, control and
monitor the rescue and rehabilitation works.

DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF DISASTER

HUMAN BEHAVIOUR
The Victim : delusion of personal vulnerability.
Disaster Syndrome : due to stress or shock
acute disorientation and apparent loss of individual purpose or
direction.

Counter Disaster Syndrome :some uninjured

or mildly injured persons vigorously involved in rescue work.

DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF DISASTER

CONVERGENCE

PERSONAL CONVERGENCE : physical

movement of

people.

METERIAL CONVFRVGENCE : physical

movement of supplies and equipments.

INFORMATION CONVERGENCE : verbal,

telephones, wireless etc.

DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF DISASTER

LEADERSHIP

It must be shared.
It must be clear and well defined.
Higher level of leadership should have
recognised authority under existing law.
It must understand the principles of
organisations and delegation of authority.
It should have an open ended management.

SOME MAJOR DISASTERS

FLOOD
CYCLONE
3,00,000
EARTHQUAKE
2,90,000
VOLCANO
25,000
TSUNAMI
1,50,000
GAS LEAK
2,500

CHINA 1887
9,00,000
BANGLASESH 1970
CHINA 1976
COLOMBIA 1985
SOUTH - EAST ASIA 2004
BHOPAL 1984

DISASTER PROCESS
FOUR PHASES
MITIGATION
PRERAREDNESS
RESPONSE
RECOVERY

PHASES
( PROFESSIONAL LEVEL)
MITIGATION
Long term preventive measures taken by local authority, govt.
NGO, various Disaster Management organizations to eliminate /
NON-STUCTURAL
reduce risk on community
FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICIES
IDENTIFFING HIGH RISK ZONES
LAYING VARIOUS SAFETY CODE OF CONDUCT e.g.
construction rules in high seismic zone

STUCTURAL
ESTABLISHMENT OF MONITORING SYSTEM e.g. P.T.W.S.
CONSTRUCTION OF DISASTER SHELTERS

PHASES
( PROFESSIONAL LEVEL)
PREPAREDNESS
MAKING VIABLE DISASTER PLAN TO RESPOND
RAPIDLY AND EFFECTIVELY
ASSEMBLING ADEQUATE RESOURCES
COLLECTING STOCKS OF CONSUMABLE ITEMS
TRAINING OF PERSONNEL

PHASES
( PROFESSIONAL LEVEL)
RESPONSE
TO SAVE LIFE AND PROTECT PROPERTY

MEASURES TAKEN IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO AND

FOLLOWING DISASTER
PROPER AND TIMELY WARNING USING MEDIA,
ROVING LOUDSPEAKERS etc.
DEPLOYMENT OF SKILLED PERSONS
RESCUE WORK
MEDICAL CARE
DRINKING WATER SUPPLY
RESTORE ALL SORTS OF COMMUNICATION

PHASES
( PROFESSIONAL LEVEL)
RECOVERY
AIM IS TO RETURN TO NORMAL FUNCTIONS
ASSISTED BY COMMUNITIES AND NATIONS
IT IS A LONG PROCESS OFTEN TAKES YEARS

PHASES
( PERSONAL LEVEL)

MITIGATION
safety measures while building a house

PREPAREDNESS
72 hour kit, fire extinguisher, emergency tel. nos.

RESPONSE
home confinement or home evacuation

RECOVERY
not only properties but also physical and mental

DISASTER PLANNING
PRINCIPLES
IT SHOULD BE A CONTINUOUS PROCESS.
IT SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO FORESEE ADVERSE SITUATIONS.
IT MUST EVOKE PROPER RESPONSE.
IT MUST BE BASED ON VALID KNOLEDGE.
IT SHOULD SERVE AS AN EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY.
IT MUST BE REALISTIC AND ADAPTABLE.
IT MST USE EXISTING STRUCTURE INSTEAD OF CREATING NEW ONE.
IT MUST BE CLEARLY WRITTEN.
IT MUST BE TESTED.
IT SHOULD BE HARMONISED AT EACH LEVEL WITH THE HIGHER LEVEL.

DISASTER PLANNING
FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR SEVERITY
DIRECT IMPACT
POPULATION DENSITY
POPULATION DISPLACEMENT
DELAY IN EVACUATION
DISRUPTION OF PRE-EXSISTING FACILITIES
CLIMATE EXPOSURE
LACK OF FOOD AND NUTRITION
INCREASED VECTOR BREEDING
NON-AVAILABILITY OR INADEQUATE MEDICAL CARE

DISASTER PLANNING
MASS CASUALTY MANAGEMENT
DO THE BEST FOR THE MOST with available
resources.
TRIAGE throughout the chain of treatment.
FIRST AID measures carried out at the earliest.
Only monitoring and resorting vital functions at
the site.
Simple and standard therapeutic measures to be
adopted

DISASTER PLANNING
MASS CASUALTY MANAGEMENT
(PHASES)

RESCUE
FIRST AID OR PRE- HOSPITAL CARE
TRANSPORTATION
DEFINITIVE TREATMENT OR HOSPITAL
CARE

DISASTER PLANNING

RESCUE
it is mostly done by the survivors of
the impact area and filter area.
Rescue team helps the community
with their skill and equipments.

DISASTER PLANNING
MEDICAL RELIEF
(pre-hospital care)
FIRST-AID TEAM
MOBILE HOSPITAL
EVALUATION AND CASUALTY CLEARING TEAM
COORDINATION, COMMUNICATION, CONTROL

DISASTER PLANNING
MEDICAL RELIEF
(pre-hospital care)

PREMILINARY PHASE
On site analysis of the situation
On site first aid treatment limited to
primary life support measures e.g.
maintain airway, control bleeding if any.
Stabilization
Transport for selective care.

DISASTER PLANNING
MEDICAL RELIEF
(transportation)

Triage or sorting out : evaluation based on chance of survival

and priority of treatment
Category 1(immediate treatment) :severely injured, immediate
transport.
Category 2(delayed treatment) : urgent but less serious
requires surgery in 8 to 12 hrs.
Category 3(minimal treatment) : walking wounded, can be
transported in a group in any vehicle.
Category 4(injuries) : simple injuries, can be sent to home after
primary treatment.
Handling with utmost care

Preventive measures to avoid spinal injury

Adequate space in the transport vehicle

DISASTER PLANNING
MEDICAL RELIEF
(hospital care)

DEFINITIVE CARE PHASE

Continuation of treatment
2nd stage diagnosis
Need based treatment at emergency room,
intensive care etc.
Definite diagnosis and treatment

DISASTER PLANNING
MEDICAL RELIEF

RECUPERATION AND REHABILITATION PHASE :

continues for a long period of time even for years
e.g. in nuclear or chemical disaster.

HOSPITAL DISASTER PLANNING

Main role of a hospital in disaster

management is in preparedness and
response .
The purpose of a hospital is to serve
maximum number of people require
medical care promptly and effectively
to minimize the number of death and
disability.

HOSPITAL DISASTER PLANNING

(OBJECTIVES)
TO PREPARE STAFFS AND RESOURCES OF
THE HOSPITAL TO PERFORM OPTIMALLY.
TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY AWARE OF
THE IMPORTANCE, BENEFITS AND WAYS
OF EXECUTION.
TO TRAIN THE STAFFS AS PART OF
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
TO CONDUCT PERIODIC DRILLS.
EVALUATION REGULARLY FOR UPGRATION.

DISASTER COMMITTEE
CHIEF OF THE HOSPITAL may act as
DISASTER CO-ORDINATOR
HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR
IN-CHARGE OF CASUALTY / EMERGENCY DEPT.
H. O. D. s
NURSING SUPERINTENDENT
STAFF REPRESENTATIVE

ORGANISSATIONAL STRUCTURE OF
DISASTER COMMITTEE
DISASTER
COORDINATOR

ADMINISTRATOR

NURSING
SUPER.

H. O. D. s

MEDICAL STAFF

NURSING STAFF

SOME IMPORTANT DEPARTMENTS

IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT
CASUALTY / EMERGENCY
RADIOLOGY AND IMAGING
CRITICAL CARE UNIT
O. T. COMPLEX
LABORATORY

DISASTER FACILITIES
IN A HOSPITAL
(PREPAREDNESS)
TRIAGE or SORTING AREA :

- attached with Emergency Services

- triage team consist of physician, surgeon,
nursing staff who first handle the incoming
casualties
- rapid assessment of the severity
- sending to appropriate treatment area

DISASTER FACILITIES
IN A HOSPITAL
(PREPAREDNESS)
PRIMARY TREATMENT AREA :
- immediate care area with resuscitation
facility to restore airway, control bleeding,
support fractures, treat shock > CATEGORY 1
cases.
- urgent care area : primary management of
less severe cases > CATEGORY 2 cases.
- non-urgent care area for CATEGORY 3 cases.
- special care area for nuclear or chemical
disaster victims, burns.

DISASTER FACILITIES
IN A HOSPITAL
(PREPAREDNESS)
SECONDARY TREATMENT AREA :
-

C. C. U.
I. C. U.
O. T.
diagnostic dept. e. g. radiology.

DISASTER FACILITIES
IN A HOSPITAL
(PREPAREDNESS)
IN-PATIENT EVACUATION HOLDING AREA
- pre-evacuated special ward for disaster
victims
- deployment of manpower easier
- deployment of equipments easier
- additional beds should be made available

DISASTER FACILITIES
IN A HOSPITAL
(PREPAREDNESS)
DISASTER MANUAL
-

Hospital Policies and Procedures

Disaster Notification
Casualty / Emergency department
Dept. Duties and Responsibilities
Special Duties and Responsibilities
Nursing services

DISASTER FACILITIES
IN A HOSPITAL
(RESPONSE)
GRADED ALERT SYSTEM : according to
increasing severity
Green Alert
Amber Alert
Red alert

DISASTER FACILITIES
IN A HOSPITAL
(RESPONSE)
ALERT AND RECALL :
- first and most important part of response
- the designated person who first receives
the disaster alert is responsible to recall the
staffs
- systems used public address system
coded light system
personal paging system
telephones
siren system etc.

DISASTER FACILITIES
IN A HOSPITAL
(RESPONSE)
DEPLOYMENT :
- rule out confusion
- action cards are very useful tool
- simple and clear instructions
- separate plan for holidays / Sundays and
for night

DISASTER FACILITIES
IN A HOSPITAL
(RESPONSE)

ADDITIONAL FACILITIES :
-

control room
staff report board
information centre
volunteer reception
relatives waiting room
media room

DISASTER FACILITIES
IN A HOSPITAL
DISASTER DRILL :
- to test preparedness and response
- should be well organized
- an opportunity to deal with the community
and local / state authorities
- proper evaluation

DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN INDIA

NATIONAL LEVEL

BASIC ROLE of CENTRAL GOVT.: mainly supportive

through information, finance, material, technical .
CONTINGENCY ACTION PLAN FOR NATURAL CALAMITIES
issued by Ministry of Agriculture, GOI is the basic guideline .
It is a relief oriented programme.
ORGANISATIONAL COMPONENT consists of :
- Cabinet Committee headed by P. M.
- National Crisis Management Committee chaired by Cabinet
Secretary.
- Crisis Management Group chaired by Cabinet Relief
Commissioner.
- Calamity Relief fund, Prime Minister Relief Fund for
financial support.

STATE LEVEL

Each State Govt. has different policies, plans and ways of

functioning
Responsible for preparedness, relief works and rehabilitation
State Crisis Management Group headed by Chief Secretary
District Relief Committee is responsible for plans, response,
coordination, supervision and monitoring
District Control Room for day to day information and monitoring

SOME DISAATER MANAGEMENT

ORGANISATIONS
Emergency Management and Research
Institute ( India )
International Association of Emergency
Managers ( education & training )
National Red Cross / Red Crescent Societies
World Bank
United Nations
Indian Army largest disaster management
organisation and rescue operator in India

DISASTER WILL HAPPEN BUT

THE POINT IS HOW PREPARE WE ARE AND
HOW RAPID AND EFFECTIVE OUR RESPONSE WILL BE

IF YOU KNOW YOUR ENEMY AND KNOW YOURSELF,

YOU NEED NOT FEAR THE RESULT OF A HUNDRED BATTLE
SUN YZU (500 B.C.)