The level of community preparedness in regards to the management of disasters is an important step in making sure that such a population is protected from possible negative effects that may result in the process. Floods have been established to the commonest natural disasters in the United States and as such, there is the need for having in place measures that will ensure that the condition is properly addressed. Flooding occurs when water overflows to dry land and may happen up to only a few inches high or completely cover a particular locality (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2016). This natural disaster is usually responsible for fatalities in individuals, affecting transportation lines and destabilizing government systems. As such, community health nurses are supposed to help the community address this condition before and after disaster strikes. The first step is through conducting drills and training exercises to members of the community which will ensure that such persons can maneuver swiftly in case of floods. Secondly, due to the fact that floods are associated with water, it means that waterborne diseases are likely to result in such localities and therefore, the CHN will have to provide medical services to the affected individuals and families (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2016). Thirdly, CHN can incorporate the triage system of providing first aid to the injured before they are transferred to the appropriate medical centers. Finally, the CHN can be helpful in the delivery and distribution of water, sanitation and food supplies to the flooding victims.
In the case of an outbreak regarding an infectious disease for instance influenza, the CHN is also tasked with ensuring that the condition is properly addressed to lessen the impacts it will have on community members (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2016). The CHN will be tasked with advising the community members on what precautions they need to take to contain the problem. For instance, families need to be told to have the required prescription drugs to manage the condition, be involved in the emergency management of such conditions, and finally educating the community on the precautionary measures which they need to take in the case of the outbreak (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2016). Some of these measures include avoiding close contact, covering the nose and mouth while one coughs, washing hands regularly and finally avoiding touching one’s eyes, nose, and mouth.
My community has a disaster preparedness center which occasionally trains the members of the community on proper disaster management techniques. Some of the activities done in this center include drills which are vital in case of a disaster and disease outbreaks. Secondly, members of the community are usually educated on how they need to conduct themselves in the case of disease outbreaks to reduce the severity of the condition and how to cap the spread of the disease.
References
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2016). Floods | Ready.gov. Retrieved from https://www.ready.gov/floods
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2016). Pandemic | Ready.gov. Retrieved from https://www.ready.gov/pandemic
