Geriatric Mental Health Disaster and Emergency Preparedness

Appendix II Glossary of Terms Commonly Used in Geriatric Mental Health 393
community on a scale suffi cient to require outside assistance. These
events can be caused by nature, equipment malfunction, human error,
or biological hazards and disease [e.g., earthquake, fl ood, fi re, hurricane,
cyclone, typhoon, signifi cant storms, volcanic eruptions, spills,
air crashes, drought, epidemic, food shortages, civil strife].
*Disaster Field Offi ce (DFO) . The offi ce established in or near the disaster
area that supports federal and state response as well as recovery operations.
The Disaster Field Offi ce houses the Federal Coordinating
Offi cer ( FCO), the Emergency Response Team (ERT), the State
Coordinating Offi cer (SCO), and support staff.
*Disaster Severity Scale. A scale that classifi es disasters by the following
parameters: the radius of the disaster site, the number of dead,
the number of wounded, the average severity of the injuries sustained,
the impact time, and the rescue time.
Dysthymia. A mood disorder characterized by depressed mood and
loss of interest or pleasure in customary activities, with some additional
signs and symptoms of depression, that is present most of the
time for at least 2 years. Many patients with dysthymia go on to develop
major depressive episodes.
Effect Size. A summary statistic that provides an index of the ability
of a screening or test instrument to discriminate between persons
with and without a particular symptom, cluster of symptoms, or
disease.
Electroconvulsive Therapy. A treatment method usually reserved for
very severe or psychotic depressions or manic states that are not responsive
to medication treatment. A low-voltage alternating current
is sent to the brain to induce a convulsion or seizure, which induces
the therapeutic effect.
*Emergency. Any natural or man-made situation that results in severe
injury, harm, or loss of humans or property.
*Emergency Management Agency (EMA). (Also referred to as the Offi ce
of Emergency Preparedness (OEP).) The EMA, under the authority
of the governor’s offi ce, coordinates the efforts of the state’s health
department, housing and social service agencies, and public safety
agencies during an emergency or disaster. The EMA also coordinates
federal resources made available to the states, such as the National