Emergency and Disaster Management: A Comprehensive Guide

1. Types of Emergencies

A. Crisis

A crisis involves frail and troubled circumstances, stemming from internal or external sources, that disrupt a system's balance and normalcy, leading to disorganization.

B. Accident

An accident affects a specific segment of the population, easily defined by a nominal variable (e.g., car occupants, event attendees, building tenants). The broader community remains unaffected, and response systems can act freely.

C. Disaster

A disaster indiscriminately affects everyone, disrupting daily life. Examples include a nuclear power plant leak, a toxic cloud, or widespread flooding. Institutional response systems may also be affected but can still potentially help.

D. Catastrophe

A catastrophe is an unexpected event affecting the entire community, including institutional response systems (e.g., a high-magnitude earthquake, nuclear explosion, tsunami, hurricane). Affected individuals may initially lack institutional support.

E. Calamity

A calamity arises from repeated or prolonged catastrophes or disasters, with consequences extending over time.

2. Phases of an Emergency

A. Historical Phase

This phase occurs during and immediately after impact. Emotions run high, and altruism is prevalent. Key resources include family, neighbors, and rescue groups.

B. Honeymoon Phase

Lasting about six months post-disaster, survivors feel fortunate to have survived. Governments pledge assistance. Community groups and post-emergency care teams are crucial resources.

C. Disappointment Phase

Spanning two months to two or three years, this phase sees rage, resentment, and bitterness if promises go unfulfilled. Outside organizations may leave, weakening local support and potentially causing a loss of community spirit.

D. Reconstruction Phase

Survivors gradually assume personal responsibility. Lasting for years, this phase involves rebuilding and developing new programs, restoring faith in the community and themselves. Failure to rebuild can lead to serious emotional problems.

E. Emergency Reactions

1. Shock Phase (Hours to a Week)

• Emotional: Sadness, anger, tears, disbelief, denial.
• Cognitive: Limited thought and action capacity, emotional numbness, impaired attention and memory, difficulty making decisions.
• Motor: Extreme hyperactivity or hypoactivity.

2. Reaction Phase (Days to Weeks)

• Emotional: Strong emotions (hatred, guilt).
• Avoidance: Relating to all aspects of the situation.
• Physiological: Anxiety-related symptoms (headaches, sleep and eating disturbances).

This phase can negatively impact belief systems and values, leading to a pessimistic outlook.

3. Standardization Phase

Individuals overcome the situation, potentially developing or strengthening coping strategies. In some cases, issues persist, interfering with social, work, or home life and potentially leading to psychopathological disorders.

3. Victim Classifications

A. Primary Victims

Those directly exposed to the disaster, experiencing significant risk to life, physical integrity, and material losses.

B. Secondary Victims

Family members or those emotionally attached to primary victims, experiencing guilt and grief.

Scope Classification

• First-Order: Directly exposed to danger, disruption, and property loss.
• Second-Order: Family and close relations of primary victims, potentially experiencing guilt.
• Third-Order: Those assisting in community alert and rehabilitation (e.g., law enforcement, firefighters, medical personnel, psychologists).
• Fourth-Order: Those responsible for the care of community members outside the impact area.
• Fifth-Order: Those near the impact who lose control and exhibit an underlying pathology with a morbid focus on the deceased.
• Sixth-Order: Those fortunate enough to be neither primary nor secondary victims; those who had premonitions; families of third-order victims awaiting news; professionals whose competence is affected by the demands of their work.

4. Intervention Scenarios

1. Hospitals

• Support for hospitals in caring for relatives.
• Coordination of information and guidance.
• Assisting families in locating victims.
• Supporting families of critically ill patients.
• Accompanying families to funeral homes.

2. Sports Halls

• Inter-agency coordination for family support.
• Welcoming and escorting families.
• Psychological support during forensic interviews and waiting periods.
• Care for children and the elderly.
• Addressing immigrant needs.
• Health care and personal item collection.

3. Funeral Homes

• Inter-agency coordination for procedures.
• Support for family members.
• Information on funeral services.
• Facilitating the departure of loved ones.
• Psychological support during funerals.
• Health care and medication administration.
• Providing informational brochures.

4. Cemeteries

• Coordination with forensic teams for identification.
• Organizing family care spaces.
• Receiving and accompanying family members.
• Channeling demands and assisting missing family members.
• Information and assistance with funeral services.
• Medical support.

5. Forensic Institute

• Informing families about body transfers.
• Accompanying family members to rest areas.
• Medical support.