NURS FPX 4060 Assessment 3 Disaster Recovery Plan

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX 4060 Practicing in the Community to Improve Population Health

Prof. Name

Date

Disaster Recovery Plan

Good afternoon, everyone. My name is_________; I am a senior nurse at Valley City Regional Hospital (VRCH). In today’s presentation, I will present a disaster recovery plan that may help the community minimize tornado risks. This strategy strengthens the most vulnerable and uses available resources to improve the Valley City residents’ readiness, quick recovery, and long-term security.

Background for the Disaster Recovery Plan

Valley City, a place that experiences severe weather conditions, is now approaching the tornado season, according to the National Weather Service. Tornadoes are destructive and can devastate communities, homes, businesses, and utilities, displace families, and overwhelm first responders. Previous disasters in the region have evidenced that with minimal disaster response strategies, communities suffered longer rehabilitation periods and higher mortality rates. The residents and business people of Valley City are at a high risk of experiencing tornado impacts such as damage to property, loss of power, and restricted access to health facilities. These areas of vulnerability must be addressed by preventive planning for efficient management of emergency organizations. A good disaster recovery plan will thus improve the response time, reduce losses, protect lives, and facilitate a faster recovery process.

Key Factors Influencing Health, Safety, and Disaster Recovery Efforts

Several factors impact communities’ health, safety, and disaster recovery responses, including determinants of health and social, cultural, and economic aspects. 

Determinants of Health  

Valley City’s health determinants are related to medical services availability, a person’s financial status, housing, and environmental conditions like tornadoes. Due to the scarcity of health facilities, preventive and emergency care is hampered by the challenging and delayed availability (Chowdhury & Ravi, 2022). The high incidence of chronic diseases puts people in specific categories in a vulnerable position during disasters. There are higher risks of injuries in substandard housing and poor evacuation due to the unavailability of transport. Lastly, environmental concerns such as the often occurring tornadoes require an elaborate disaster management plan and robust healthcare facilities.

Social Factors

17% of the city’s population is below the age of 18 years, while 22% is above 65 years of age, most of whom rely on the help of others, especially in disasters. For instance, 204 of the elderly people with medical conditions and 147 of the residents with hearing problems, including those using sign language or lip reading, can be severely affected by crises that affect communication and care (Capella University, n.d.). As a result, most of the population is interdependent and is not informed of health safety. Additionally, elderly and disabled persons are at higher risk of safety, health, and disaster because of restricted mobility, speech impediment, and other underlying health complications.

Cultural Factors  

Valley City culture affects disaster preparedness and health. The demography of Valley City comprises 93% whites, 3% Latino, 2% black, 1% Native Americans and 1% other races. Also, many migrant workers are illiterate in English, and their numbers cannot be ascertained (Capella University, n.d.). Minority groups do not understand the safety instructions since they are communicated in languages they find difficult to comprehend. Besides, because of the variations in demography, culture may deny people the ability to be independent and seek assistance even in dire circumstances.

Economic Factors  

Valley City is in a critical financial situation, and in a few years, it will be bankrupt. It has implemented layoffs in police and fire departments (Capella University, n.d.). These factors, as well as high poverty rates and unemployment, restrict the government and, in turn, the individual’s capacity to rebound from the disaster. Also, VRCH is in crisis; for example, ambulances are old and need repair, and their parts are outdated. Also, many of the hospital’s physical assets are already worn down and need replacement or repair. The hospital has suffered recurring financial losses and has been unable to improve; it may even think of cutting back on the nursing staff (Capella University, n.d.). These economic losses increase residents’ risk and hamper their recovery after a disaster.  

Interrelationship of these Factors 

The health determinants, cultural beliefs and practices, social relations, and economic factors are interwoven in Valley City. Financial difficulties also contribute to poor health and restricted disaster risk reduction materials utilization. Cultural beliefs affect social interactions and determine the culture’s cohesiveness and individuals’ preparedness (Butu et al., 2023). There is a social amplification of health risks, which is worse for those in the lower income bracket. These factors, as seen individually, influence how this community is prepared to deal with tornadoes. Therefore, there is a need for integrated, culturally sensitive, and resourceful methods in place for recovery in the aftermath.

Disaster Preparedness by the MAP-IT Framework

A disaster recovery plan has been developed for Valley City to respond to the upcoming tornado season: 

• Mobilize: Disaster management for Valley City starts by identifying top players for the initiative, composed of local government emergency management agencies, health institutions, learning institutions, community halls, and nonprofits. Schools and local organizations will be encouraged to volunteer to support relief operations. A task force will maximize coordination, cooperation, and communication, reduce overlap and duplication, and provide a more coordinated response to emergencies (Thobaity, 2024). They will also ensure that an emergency communication plan is set up so they can post the update through local media and the emergency notification system.
• Assess: The first of these is a screening of the needs of the high-risk groups, which are the elderly people, the disabled, low-income earners, and families living in dilapidated houses. Hospitals, schools, and other public buildings and roads that may be used as evacuation centers will be evaluated to determine their capacity to accommodate displaced persons. Food, water, medications, first aid kits, and other emergency supplies on hand will be discussed. Further, there will be a communication infrastructure to confirm that the right messages are relayed throughout the community, particularly for people who are hard of hearing and those who understand little English.

NURS FPX 4060 Assessment 3 Disaster Recovery Plan

• Plan: Specific recommendations for tornado disasters include evacuation plans, sheltering, medical treatment, and mental health considerations. Healthcare personnel, emergency services providers, and volunteers shall be educated (Thobaity, 2024). Community sensitization will involve public enlightenment on where to go, where to seek shelter in case of a tornado, and contacts of relevant personnel.
• Implement: The recovery plan will be implemented after giving a tornado warning. Temporary evacuation centers will be provided in the local area, and medical response teams will be dispatched to the affected people. Law enforcement, firefighters, and other sorts of rescuers will help the hurt and people in life-threatening situations. Communication means will guide the people to shelters and make constant announcements to keep the support going.
• Track: The recovery process will be monitored, and continuous feedback will be gathered from the community. Agencies will conduct assessments to ensure timely delivery of resources, and adjustments will be made as needed to improve effectiveness. Data from previous recovery efforts will refine the plan for future disaster events. After the disaster, a community meeting will be held to evaluate the response and identify areas for improvement.

Disaster Recovery Plan to Lessen Disparities and Improve Access 

The proposed disaster recovery plan for Valley City emphasizes reducing health disparities and improving access to community services by prioritizing vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, disabled, and low-income families. By mobilizing local agencies, healthcare facilities, and community organizations, the plan ensures that resources are distributed equitably, with targeted outreach to those with limited access to healthcare or transportation.

The principles of social justice are embedded by ensuring that everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status or background, has access to emergency shelters, medical services, and necessary resources (Hamdanieh et al., 2024). Cultural sensitivity is key, as well as multilingual materials and culturally appropriate communication to address the diverse needs of Valley City’s residents. By addressing these factors, the plan fosters health equity, ensuring that all individuals, families, and communities receive the necessary support during and after the disaster, minimizing health disparities, and promoting recovery for all.

Health and Government Policies in Disaster Recovery

The Stafford Act (Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act) is a disaster response policy in the United States because it offers federal aid to states and local governments during disasters (Congressional Research Service, 2024). It allows to make pronouncements that liberate the federal government’s funds for providing help, including food, shelter, and medical assistance in case of disasters. This law guarantees that people, including the most vulnerable, will obtain readily accessible health services and recovery assets. The provisions of the Stafford Act influence recovery by influencing how funds and resources to the affected communities are made easily and easily available to improve health recovery after disasters such as tornadoes.

Another policy is the Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Program. PHEP Program assists public health departments in preparing and responding to disasters, including health emergencies. This policy supports the provision of funds and materials to strengthen the ability of community health systems to address disaster public health requirements (CDC, 2024). It is centered on upgrading the facility and enhancing the interaction and organization of the caregivers. In a tornado, this program ensures that the communities have access to medical services, disease control, and mental health, thus minimizing the effects on the people’s health. Implementation of PHEP allows the continuity of adequate health care and ensures that all people within a community receive the health care services they require most appropriately.

Communication Strategies to Improve Interprofessional Collaboration 

Enhanced Community Communication Systems  

A key strategy for overcoming communication barriers during a disaster is the implementation of multilingual, accessible communication systems. Evidence shows that providing real-time, accurate information in multiple languages through mobile apps, social media, and emergency notification systems improves disaster preparedness and recovery (Erokhin & Komendantova, 2024). By ensuring information reaches all community members, including those with limited English proficiency or disabilities, this strategy reduces confusion and enables better decision-making. Failure to provide inclusive communication can delay response times and create confusion, undermining recovery efforts.

Interprofessional Training and Simulation Drills  

Interprofessional collaboration can be enhanced by conducting regular disaster simulation drills, where healthcare providers, emergency responders, and social service agencies work together in a mock disaster scenario. Research shows that such drills improve coordination, trust, and understanding of roles among professionals (Elvegård et al., 2024). By training all relevant professionals to respond collaboratively, Valley City can ensure quicker and more organized disaster recovery. Without this training, miscommunication or role confusion may result in inefficient care and delayed recovery, potentially compromising public health.

Utilization of Community Health Workers (CHWs)  

Integrating CHWs into disaster response efforts has enhanced communication and trust within vulnerable populations (Miller et al., 2020). CHWs serve as a bridge between healthcare systems and communities, providing culturally relevant information and emotional support. This strategy ensures that community members who may be marginalized or distrustful of authorities receive timely and actionable disaster recovery information. Without CHWs, these groups may experience inequities in care, increasing the strain on recovery resources and prolonging recovery.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the disaster recovery plan specifically oriented in Valley City and dealing with tornadoes uses the MAP-IT approach to deliver the best solution for recovery and resilience possible. Social, cultural, and economic factors, considered the potential determinants of health, are recognized as the major issues of the community, and pre-disaster planning is underlined as the key element of the plan.

Approaches such as improving communication technologies, developing professional cooperation by training, and engaging CHW offer guidelines to eliminate barriers and equitably realign recovery services for the disadvantaged group. Health and governmental policies like the Stafford Act and the National Response Framework also back the plan to ensure the work follows already set standards. This recovery plan not only enhances the management of disasters but also reduces health inequality in a community because it promotes collaboration of all stakeholders in a socially just and culturally sensitive manner.

References

Butu, H. M., Hashim, A. H., Ahmad, N., & Hassan, M. M. (2023). Influences of cultural values, community cohesiveness, and resilience among residents in insurgency-prone Northeast Nigeria. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 13(12), 1447–1464. http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v13-i12/20046 

Capella University. (n.d.). Assessment 03 – Disaster recovery plan. Capella.edu.
https://signon.capella.edu/idp/SSO

NURS FPX 4060 Assessment 3 Disaster Recovery Plan

CDC. (2024, August 16). Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program and guidance. State and Local Readiness. https://www.cdc.gov/readiness/php/phep/index.html 

Chowdhury, J., & Ravi, R. P. (2022). Healthcare accessibility in developing countries: A global healthcare challenge. Journal of Clinical & Biomedical Research, 4(4), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.47363/jcbr/2022(4)152

Congressional Research Service. (2024, March 15). Stafford Act assistance for public health incidents. Crsreports.congress.gov. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IN/IN11229

Elvegård, R., Andreassen, N., & Badu, J. (2024). Building collaboration and trust in emergency preparedness: A model for planning collaboration exercises. Safety in Extreme Environments, 6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42797-024-00107-w 

Erokhin, D., & Komendantova, N. (2024). Social media data for disaster risk management and research. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 114, 104980. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2024.104980 

Hamdanieh, L., Stephens, C., Olyaeemanesh, A., & Ostadtaghizadeh, A. (2024). Social justice: The unseen key pillar in disaster risk management. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 101, 104229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2023.104229 

Miller, N. P., Ardestani, F. B., Dini, H. S., Shafique, F., & Zunong, N. (2020). Community health workers in humanitarian settings: Scoping review. Journal of Global Health, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.10.020602 

NURS FPX 4060 Assessment 3 Disaster Recovery Plan

Thobaity, A. A. (2024). Overcoming challenges in nursing disaster preparedness and response: An umbrella review. BMC Nursing, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-02226-y