Disaster Nursing and Emergency Preparedness - Springer Publishing

Key Messages
■ The National Disaster Response Framework includes emergency management
authorities, policies, procedures, and resources of local, state, and federal governments,
as well as voluntary disaster relief agencies, the private sector, and
international resources to provide assistance following a disaster.
■ The Department of Homeland Security coordinates the National Response Plan
(NRP) to provide supplemental assistance when the consequences of a disaster
overwhelm local and state capabilities.
■ The NRP coordinates with other federal emergency plans as necessary to meet
the needs of unique situations.
■ The NRP works hand-in-hand with the National Incident Management System and
incorporates the tenets of the Incident Command System.
■ Nurses need to be aware of Emergency Support Function (ESF 8), Health and
Medical Services, and its core provisions.
■ Nursing leadership during a disaster or mass casualty event demands a broad
knowledge base and a unique skill set.
■ Changes in government structure in disaster response and in the public health
system may create opportunities for nurses to act in new, yet-to-be defined roles.
■ Nurses must actively seek out positions of leadership in health policy and disaster
management.
■ Nurses must remain vigilant as this information is constantly changing as health
policy and federal restructuring continues.
Learning Objectives
When this chapter is completed, readers will be able to
1. Describe the medical services system.
2. Describe the National Response Plan and the National Incident Management System.
3. List the 15 emergency support functions included in the plan, particularly the
emergency support function (ESF) 8.
4. Discuss the purpose and scope of ESF 8.
5. List the federal definitions of a disaster condition.
6. Describe federal resources where nurses might volunteer, including the National
Disaster Medical System, Medical Reserve Corps, and U.S. Public Health Service
and its Federal Medical Shelters.
7. Identify challenges to health systems leadership and coordination.
8. Communicate the issues surrounding disaster nursing leadership.