Disaster Nursing and Emergency Preparedness - Springer Publishing

12 Part I Disaster Preparedness
1.2
Methods for Data Collection for
Disaster Planning
1.3
Hazard Analysis
HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND MAPPING
Hazard identification is used to determine which events are most
likely to affect a community and to make decisions about who or
what to protect as the basis of establishing measures for
prevention, mitigation, and response. Historical data and data
from other sources are collected to identify previous and
potential hazards. Data are then mapped using aerial
photography, satellite imagery, remote sensing, and geographic
information systems.
VULNERABILITY ANALYSIS
Vulnerability analysis is used to determine who is most likely to
be affected, the property most likely to be damaged or destroyed,
and the capacity of the community to deal with the effects of the
disaster. Data are collected regarding the susceptibility of
individuals, property, and the environment to potential hazards in
order to develop prevention strategies. A separate vulnerability
analysis should be conducted for each identified hazard.
RISK ASSESSMENT
Risk assessment uses the results of the hazard identification and
vulnerability analysis to determine the probability of a specified
outcome from a given hazard that affects a community with
known vulnerabilities and coping mechanisms (risk equals
hazard times vulnerability). The probability may be presented as
a numerical range (i.e., 30% to 40% probability) or in relative
terms (i.e., low, moderate, or high risk). Major objectives of risk
assessment include
■ Determining a community’s risk of adverse health effects due
to a specified disaster (i.e., traumatic deaths and injuries following
an earthquake)
■ Identifying the major hazards facing the community and their
sources (i.e., earthquakes, floods, industrial accidents)
■ Identifying those sections of the community most likely to be
affected by a particular hazard (i.e., individuals living in or near
flood plains)
■ Determining existing measures and resources that reduce the
impact of a given hazard (i.e., building codes and regulations
for earthquake mitigation)
■ Determining areas that require strengthening to prevent or
mitigate the effects of the hazard
Natural Events
Drought
Wildfire (e.g., forest, range)
Avalanche
Winter storms/blizzard: Snow, ice, hail
Tsunami
Windstorm/typhoon/cyclone
Hurricane/typhoon/cyclone
Biological event
Heat wave
Extreme cold
Flood or wind-driven water
Earthquake
Volcanic eruption
Tornado
Landslide or mudslide
Dust or sand storm
Lightning storm
Technological events
Hazardous material release
Explosion or fire
Transportation accident (rail, subway, bridge, airplane)
Building or structure collapse
Power or utility failure
Extreme air pollution
Radiological accident (industry, medical, nuclear power plant)
Dam or levee failure
Fuel or resource shortage
Industrial collapse
Communication disruption
Human events
Economic failures
General strikes
Terrorism (e.g., ecological, cyber, nuclear, biological, chemical)
Sabotage, bombs
Hostage situation
Civil unrest
Enemy attack
Arson
Mass hysteria/panic
Special events (mass gatherings, concerts, sporting events,
political gatherings)
Source: Information obtained from Landesman, L. (2001). Chapter 5: Hazard
assessment, vulnerability analysis, risk assessment and rapid health
assessment. In Public health management of disasters: The practice guide.
Washington, DC: American Public Health Association. The author gratefully
acknowledges Dr. Linda Landesman and the American Public Health
Association for permission to reproduce this work.