Disaster Basics
In order to effectively prepare and respond to disaster, it is necessary to understand the fundamental elements of disaster management. This section provides a definition of disaster, an explanation of the different kinds of disaster, and an explanation of the different stages of disaster.
Definition of disaster:
A disaster is an event that causes great human suffering and widespread destruction and often necessitates outside assistance to full recovery.
The American Red Cross defines it as:
A disaster is an occurrence, such as a hurricane, tornado, storm, flood, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, earthquake, drought, blizzard, pestilence, famine, fire, explosion, volcanic eruption, building collapse, transportation accident, civil disorder, or other situation, that causes or creates human suffering which the victim cannot alleviate without assistance.
The Department of Homeland Security defines it as:
A disaster is a special action declared by the President of the United States which authorizes the federal government to deploy resources and activate programs to assist state and local governments, private citizens, utilities, and business cope with and recover from an emergency incident which has overwhelmed the capacities of state and local government.
Three types of disaster:
Natural disaster – Natural disasters are disasters caused by naturally occurring physical phenomena either by rapid or slow onset events which can be geophysical (earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic activity, etc.), hydrological (avalanches and floods), climatological (drought and wildfires), meteorological (cyclones and storms/ wave surges).
Man-made disaster – Technological disasters are those caused by humans. These can include industrial accidents, hazardous material accidents, or terrorist attacks.
Biological disaster – Biological disasters are often referred to as epidemics. An epidemic occurs when there is an unusual increase in the number of cases of an infectious disease which already exists in a region or population. It can also refer to the appearance of a significant number of infectious disease in a region or population that is usually free of disease. Examples include avian flu, H1N1, cholera, HIV, etc.
The disaster cycle:
Preparedness – Preparedness generally occurs before a disaster and encompasses all proactive actions taken to place individuals and communities in a better state of readiness to withstand or avoid the immediate impact of any kind of disaster. Examples are emergency plans, disaster kits, evacuation routes, etc.
Response – Response activities occur directly after an event and often include immediate actions to save lives, protect property and meet essential human needs. Examples are search and rescue operations, evacuation shelters, mass feeding, etc.
Recovery – Recovery actions occur after response is complete. They are designed to help individuals and communities return to normal, including, restoration of public infrastructure, reconstruction of public and private property, resumption of regular government operations and services, economic recovery and revitalization.
Mitigation – Mitigation should occur throughout all the other stages, but primarily occurs during and after the recovery stage. These activities at the household, community, state and national level are designed to reduce or eliminate risks to persons or property and/or lessen the consequences of an incident.
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