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Theme 7. Sharing International Experiences in Disasters: Summary and Action Plan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Michael Braham
Affiliation:
General Safety, Department of National Defence, CANADA
Richard Aghababian
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Massachusetts, Worchester, Massachusetts, USA
Richard A. Andrews
Affiliation:
Consultant, EQE International, Irvine, California, USA
Cher Austin
Affiliation:
Major, Department of National Defence, Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA
Ross Brown
Affiliation:
Trauma Surgeon, Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences, Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA
Yao Zhong Chen
Affiliation:
Faculty of Naval Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Z. Engindeniz
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, Uludag University Medical School, Bursa, TURKEY
Roger Girouard
Affiliation:
Captain, CFB EXQUIMALT, Victoria, British Columbia, CANADA
Paul Leaman
Affiliation:
Director of Operations, Essex Ambulance Service NHS Trust, UNITED KINGDOM
Michele Masellis
Affiliation:
Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns Therapy, Civic Hospital, Palermo, ITALY
Shinichi Nakayama
Affiliation:
Department of Disaster and Emergency Medicine, Kobe University School of Medicine, Kobe, JAPAN
Y.O. Polentsov
Affiliation:
Kiev Medical Academy of Postgraduate Training, Ukranian Center of Emergency and Disaster Medicine, Kiev, UKRAINE
Bjōrn Ove Suserud
Affiliation:
Kunskapscentrum Prehospen, Borås, SWEDEN

Abstract

Introduction:

The discussions in this theme provided an opportunity to share specific experiences with disasters that occurred outside of the Asia-Pacific Rim.

Methods:

Details of the methods used are provided in the preceding paper. The chairs moderated all presentations and produced a summary that was presented to an assembly of all of the delegates. Since the findings from the Theme 7 and Theme 3 groups were similar, the chairs of both groups presided over one workshop that resulted in the generation of a set of action plans that then were reported to the collective group of all delegates.

Results:

The main points developed during the presentations and discussion included: (1) disaster response planning, (2) predetermined command and organizational structure, (3) rapid response capability, (4) mitigation, and (5) communications and alternatives.

Discussion:

The action plans presented are in common with those presented by Theme 3, and include: (1) plan disaster responses including the different types, identification of hazards, training based on experiences, and provision of public education; (2) improving coordination and control; (3) maintaining communications assuming infrastructure breakdown; (4) maximizing mitigation through standardized evaluations, creation of a legal framework, and recognition of advocacy and public participation; and (5) providing resources and knowledge through access to existing therapies, using the media, and increasing decentralization of hospital inventories.

Conclusions:

Most of the problems that occurred outside the Asia-Pacific rim relative to disaster management are similar to those experienced within it. They should be addressed in common with the rest of the world.

Type
5th Asia-Pacific Conference on Disaster Medicine
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2001

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References

5th Asia-Pacific Conference on Disaster Medicine (5APCDM): Themes 3, Sharing Pacific Rim experiences in disasters.Prehosp Disast Med 2000; 15(3):s45–s52 (http://pdm.medicine.wisc.edu).Google Scholar
5th Asia-Pacific Conference on Disaster Medicine (5APCDM): Theme 7. International experiences in disasters. Prehosp Disast Med 2000; 15(3):s74–s81. (http://pdm.medicine.wisc.edu).Google Scholar
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