Emergency Management: Myth Versus Reality

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June Flowers
8 years ago
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1 Emergency Management: Myth Versus Reality Page 1 of 2 Emergency Management Team The town s emergency management team has two different factions: one acts on the reality of the situation and the people involved; the other acts on incorrect perceptions, or myths, that have grown around the idea of evacuation. Myth Panic: When confronted with a possible disaster, most people panic, which means acting irrationally. Shock: People are in disaster shock and cannot be expected to act quickly. Role Abandonment: Police, firefighters and utility workers will leave their jobs to go home to take care of themselves and their own homes. Reality Responsible Behavior: People generally act rationally, even though they may be scared, and will cooperate if told of the situation and given information by authorities. Heroism: People may be frightened, but they want to know what to do to be safe and to help others. Ordinary people are capable of great acts of heroism. Duty: Community workers can be counted on to remain on the job they have been trained to do, in spite of danger to themselves. Dependency: People cannot think straight during or after a disaster and are totally dependent on the government, including the military, to guide them. Cooperation: People are not only capable of following authorities; they are also capable of helping authorities. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: MYTH VERSUS REALITY

Myth Panic: When confronted with a possible disaster, most people panic, which means acting irrationally. Shock: People are in disaster shock and cannot be expected to act quickly.

2 Emergency Management: Myth Versus Reality Page 2 of 2 The Scenario There s a chemical spill in the town just north of yours. If the wind blows from the north, the toxic fumes will sweep through your town, causing sickness and possibly deaths. The emergency team must decide what to do. They are presented with two different plans one from the faction that believes in the myths; one from the faction that sees reality. The Plan, Based on Myths The Plan, Based on Reality How might these plans differ? How might each affect the safety of the town? EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: MYTH VERSUS REALITY

The emergency team must decide what to do.

3 A Reliable Source Page 1 of 2 Directions: It s important to go to the right source to get the information you need. Check these online resources and other sources of information to determine the expertise you can find on the Internet and elsewhere for different types of information. Source Major Areas of Expertise Facts, Opinions or Both? Credibility (scale of 1 to 5) 1 = not credible 5 = expert American Red Cross Centers for Disease Control and Prevention U.S. Department of Homeland Security Local emergency management: Local media: National media (TV, radio or Internet): A RELIABLE SOURCE

information. Source Major Areas of Expertise Facts, Opinions or Both? Credibility (scale of 1 to 5) 1 = not credible 5 = expert American Red Cross http://www.

4 A Reliable Source Page 2 of 2 Source Major Areas of Expertise Facts, Opinions or Both? Credibility (scale of 1 to 5) 1 = not credible 5 = expert Family Peers Teachers Other online source: Other local source: A RELIABLE SOURCE

5 Be Advised Page 1 of 1 Directions: The Homeland Security Advisory System will be effective only if people know what to do at each level of security. Complete the chart below by filling in several actions you believe families should take at each level of risk. Homeland Security Advisory System Recommendations for Families Risk of Attack Recommended Actions Complete recommended actions at lower levels SEVERE (Red) Complete recommended actions at lower levels HIGH (Orange) Complete recommended actions at lower levels ELEVATED (Yellow) Complete recommended actions at lower levels GUARDED (Blue) LOW (Green) Note: Your local American Red Cross chapter has materials available to assist you in preparing for a disaster. Source: The American National Red Cross. Available at BE ADVISED

Homeland Security Advisory System Recommendations for Families Risk of Attack Recommended Actions Complete recommended actions at lower levels SEVERE (Red) Complete recommended actions at lower

6 Perceptions of War Page 1 of 2 Directions: You have exactly 10 minutes to jot down the words, images and thoughts that come to you as you consider each of the questions below. There are no incorrect answers. 1. Images and Perceptions When you hear the word war, what images come to mind? Which wars or armed conflicts do you know about? How do you know about these conflicts? PERCEPTIONS OF WAR

7 Perceptions of War Page 2 of 2 2. Responsibilities to Humanity What, if anything, should be prohibited during war? How can human suffering be limited during war? PERCEPTIONS OF WAR

8 Seven Principles Page 1 of 1 Directions: These seven basic principles are the foundation of the work done by humanitarian organizations like the Red Cross, the Red Crescent and the Red Shield of David. Why is each so important to the success of their mission? 1. HUMANITY Protect life and health and ensure respect for the human being. Promote mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace among all people. 2. IMPARTIALITY Provide relief in times of armed conflict or disaster based on emergency needs regardless of nationality, race, religious beliefs, economic resources or political opinions. Relieve the suffering of others guided solely by their needs. Give priority to the most urgent cases of distress. 3. NEUTRALITY Provide services without taking sides in conflicts or controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature. 4. INDEPENDENCE Maintain autonomy from government in order to provide services in accordance with the seven principles. For example, address the needs of victims even if your government is not on good terms with their country. 5. VOLUNTARY SERVICE Service relies on volunteer service not prompted in any manner by a desire for gain. 6. UNITY There can be only one Red Cross, Red Crescent or Red Shield of David society in any one country. It must be open to all and carry out its work throughout its territory. These societies cooperate and help one another. 7. UNIVERSALITY This international humanitarian movement is worldwide. Each group shares equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other. SEVEN PRINCIPLES

Promote mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace among all people. 2.

9 How Do We Help? Page 1 of 1 Directions: As families, we help and protect each other every day. We also reach out to our community, our nation and the world. Work together in answering the questions below to highlight the many ways your family helps others. Ways we help and protect each other: Ways we help others in our school and community: Ways we help others in our nation and the world: HOW DO WE HELP?

Work together in answering the questions below to highlight the many ways your family helps others.

10 Is It a Cold or the Flu? Page 1 of 2 Directions: When you are sick, you may not care if it s the flu or a cold. However, it s important for your doctor to know exactly how you feel to diagnose your illness and prescribe the right treatment. Below is a chart that can help you better understand the difference between a cold and the flu. Symptoms Cold Flu Fever Rare Usual; high (100 F to 102 F; occasionally higher, especially in young children); lasts three to four days Headache Rare Common General Aches, Pains Slight Usual; often severe Fatigue, Weakness Sometimes Usual; can last as long as two to three weeks Extreme Exhaustion Never Usual; at the beginning of the illness Stuffy Nose Common Sometimes Sneezing Usual Sometimes Sore Throat Common Sometimes Chest Discomfort, Cough Mild to moderate; Common; can become severe hacking cough IS IT A COLD OR THE FLU?

Below is a chart that can help you better understand the difference between a cold and the flu.

11 Is It a Cold or the Flu? Page 2 of 2 Treatment Cold Flu Antihistamines Decongestant Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines Antiviral medicines; see your doctor Over-the-counter medicines for fever, sore throat and headache Prevention Wash your hands Annual vaccination; antiviral often medicines see your doctor Avoid close contact with anyone with a cold Wash your hands and avoid close contact with anyone with the flu Adapted from Is It a Cold or the Flu? by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, September Available at Accessed on March 1, 2007 Now, consider these symptoms as you write what a fictitious patient might say on a visit to the doctor. Challenge others to diagnose the illness. IS IT A COLD OR THE FLU?

Prevention Wash your hands Annual vaccination; antiviral often medicines see your doctor Avoid close contact with anyone with a cold Wash your hands and avoid close contact with anyone with the flu

12 How Do You Feel? Page 1 of 1 Directions: When you have the flu or a cold, you really feel bad. Some of the symptoms are similar, but may be more severe in one illness or the other. Use markers to color the areas that are affected by a cold or flu. Label and describe how each part of your body feels. HOW DO YOU FEEL?

Some of the symptoms are similar, but may be more severe in one illness or the

BE SURE. BE SAFE. VACCINATE.

DON T GET OR GIVE THE FLU THIS YEAR THANK YOU Vaccination is the only protection. www.immunisation.ie BE SURE. BE SAFE. VACCINATE. FLU VACCINE 2013-2014 Healthcare workers prevent the spread of flu and