NURS FPX 4055 Assignment 3 Disaster Recovery Plan

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX4055 Optimizing Population Health through Community Practice

Prof. Name

Date

Disaster Recovery Plan

Communities such as Valley City struggle to achieve successful recovery after disasters due to persistent socio-economic disparities, communication challenges, and the unique needs of a diverse and aging population. Effective disaster recovery in Valley City depends on aligning local government efforts with healthcare policies and evidence-based strategies that strengthen communication and interprofessional collaboration. Given recent events, such as the oil train derailment and increasing tornado risks, these coordinated efforts are critical (Capella University, n.d.). The Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) framework will guide this assessment, demonstrating how Valley City’s specific challenges influence disaster recovery outcomes, reduce health disparities, and promote equitable access to services during emergencies.

Determinants of Health and Barriers in Valley City

Key factors in Valley City’s demographic and health situation play a significant role in preparing for and responding to disasters. Since the population is 8,295 and the median age is 43.6, there are many older adults in the city—22% are over 65, and more than 200 elderly residents face serious health issues. They are at greater risk in emergencies, needing assistance with moving, managing their long-term health conditions, and receiving continuous medical care even when things are disrupted (Capella University, n.d.). Besides, 147 people in the community have disabilities that make it difficult for them to speak or hear, and some use American Sign Language or lip-reading.

It is often challenging for these populations to access emergency information, especially during power outages or when the system is inaccessible. A swift demographic transformation is happening in Valley City. Although most people in the country are white, the Latino population is growing (3%), and it is unknown how many undocumented migrants live there, some of whom have little proficiency in English. People who are already disadvantaged have a harder time getting emergency alerts and medical treatment because of language barriers (Capella University, n.d.). 

The city’s finances are on the verge of collapse, resulting in job cuts for police and firefighters. It weakens the public health system when it is most needed for a quick response. Valley City Regional Hospital, which serves the area, is almost at capacity (97 beds out of 105 are filled), and its equipment is old and outdated. If financial problems persist, it may be necessary to reduce staff, which would significantly impair the ability to respond in a major emergency (Capella University, n.d.). Because of these health factors—age, disabilities, language barriers, and economic pressures—active and inclusive planning for disasters is essential.

Interrelationships Among Determinants and Barriers

Disaster recovery in Valley City is made challenging, and community safety is decreased due to overlapping cultural, social, and economic obstacles. Because many belong to vulnerable groups, over 200 seniors with severe medical conditions and nearly 150 people with challenges in communicating or moving do not usually have easy access to the support needed for fast evacuation or ongoing care in emergencies. Most shelters and medical centers are not designed for these individuals, which means they have less access to recovery support (Walter et al., 2021).

Culturally, having more undocumented migrant workers in a country causes many communication barriers. Many people in the area do not speak good English and may not understand what emergency alerts mean or how to seek help. Being afraid of deportation or discrimination can make immigrants avoid public agencies, which means they miss out on important health and safety services (Mucha et al., 2024).The city’s ongoing financial problems exacerbate all other challenges. Because of layoffs in the police and fire departments, emergency response is reduced, and the homeless shelter is at full capacity and is unable to help the entire homeless population.

Such groups have a hard time accessing transportation, stable housing, ng, and financial support, which,h makes both rebuilding and recovery slow. Valley City Regional is already utilizing all its beds and is operating its ambulance service with equipment that is nearing failure. If nursing staff are cut because of budget cuts, it would make matters worse, especially when many people are injured at once. These two problems are closely linked: being separated from the culture increases a person’s social risk, which is further increased by financial instability (Mucha et al., 2024). Disaster recovery planning should focus on solving these systemic problems by including and empowering everyone from the community.

Promoting Health Equity Through a Culturally Sensitive Disaster Recovery Plan 

Building a strong disaster recovery plan for Valley City will help reduce the health gap in the community and make community services more accessible by focusing on equity, cultural understanding, and fairness. Given that 22% of the population is above the age of 65 and over 200 elderly individuals have complex health issues, a recovery plan with mobile health units, prioritized evacuation for those at risk, and cooperation with long-term care providers will ensure that the care of seniors, often overlooked during emergencies, will not be interrupted (Walter et al., 2021).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) indicates that communities with a high percentage of elderly, disabled, and poor people are more likely to suffer in disasters (CDC, 2024a). Valley City has this profile, as 147 residents have physical or communication disabilities, the homeless shelter is under stress, and the city is facing bankruptcy, which has reduced its ability to respond to emergencies. To be culturally competent, a recovery plan should include ways to talk with people in different languages, focusing on the Latino and undocumented migrant populations who may not join emergency planning because of language or fear of the authorities.

According to the US Census Bureau, individuals in low-income and less-educated communities are less equipped to cope with the consequences of disasters. They may experience prolonged suffering as a result (Census.gov, 2023). A plan focused on social justice aims to provide equal assistance and employs health workers who understand cultural differences to remove barriers to accessing services. Valley City residents from all age groups, languages, income brackets, and abilities will benefit from the health equity this plan aims to achieve by tackling any disparities it finds.

Role of Health and Governmental Policy: A CERC Framework Approach

Health and governmental policies profoundly shape the effectiveness of disaster recovery efforts, particularly in a vulnerable and resource-strapped community like Valley City. Using the CERC framework, which emphasizes being first, right, and credible, policies like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensure inclusivity, accessibility, and coordinated federal support during emergencies (ADA, 2021). In Valley City, 147 residents have physical disabilities or communication impairments, and over 200 elderly residents have complex medical needs. Under the ADA, all emergency communication, evacuation routes, and shelter accommodations must be accessible to individuals with disabilities. Yet, during the train derailment, communication gaps and a lack of triage support showed a failure to meet ADA provisions (Iezzoni et al., 2022).

The disaster recovery plan must include accessible notification systems (e.g., text alerts with visual cues) and transportation support for non-ambulatory residents, directly aligning with CERC’s principles of empathy and inclusivity in crisis messaging.The Stafford Act enables federal assistance after the President declares a disaster, allowing for a coordinated response, infrastructure rebuilding, and public health services (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2021). In Valley City’s case, with the hospital operating at near capacity (97 of 105 beds filled) and outdated ambulances, invoking Stafford Act provisions can provide critical federal funding to upgrade equipment and ensure medical surge capacity.

NURS FPX 4055 Assignment 3 Disaster Recovery Plan

It also requires trace-mapping efforts to identify the spread of infection, housing needs, and social vulnerabilities—important for transparent recovery tracking. Further, the 2018 Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) shifts focus from reactive to proactive planning by promoting hazard mitigation funding (FEMA, 2021). For Valley City, DRRA supports funding preventative infrastructure upgrades, such as reinforcing the hospital’s emergency systems and ensuring backup water supplies—a priority after the contaminated water crisis. Trace mapping, paired with DRRA mandates, allows community leaders to monitor equitable resource distribution, assess service gaps, and improve long-term resilience (Borges et al., 2024). These combined policy frameworks, if properly implemented, will enable Valley City to recover more quickly, more equitably, and with greater community trust.

Strategies to Overcome Communication Barriers and Interprofessional Collaboration

Disaster recovery in Valley City benefits from specialized tactics to address communication difficulties and enhance teamwork among various professionals, particularly based on the CERC model. CERC focuses on prompt, truthful, and empathetic communication, which is essential in a city where many residents speak different languages and old infrastructure is prevalent (CDC, 2024b). Some groups, such as the elderly, disabled, and undocumented migrant workers, are at risk.

Some communication problems in Valley City involve the fact that undocumented migrant workers have limited English skills, 147 residents are visually or hearing impaired, and hospital equipment is outdated. By utilizing multilingual communication platforms, visual alerts, and mobile apps that send mass alerts in multiple formats (audio, text, and visual), you can reach a larger number of people within the community. The CDC agrees that using inclusive messages can help ensure people follow the guidelines and trust the health system during emergencies (CDC, 2024b).

NURS FPX 4055 Assignment 3 Disaster Recovery Plan

A common incident command system (ICS) should be established among all agencies, including hospitals, fire, and police, to enhance interprofessional cooperation (Hanlin & Schulz, 2021). Simulation exercises conducted by groups from different departments, along with digital platforms for quick updates (such as WebEOC or emergency modules in Microsoft Teams), help control the chaos. It has been shown that training using simulators improves understanding of roles, facilitates faster responses, and enhances teamwork. The team can now handle disasters more efficiently and avoid multiple people doing the same tasks (Gundran et al., 2022).

Because of these strategies, people and families who are hard of hearing, speak another language or are at risk medically always get the right and prompt information. Groups such as the elderly and homeless benefit from outreach by community liaisons and health navigators who are trained to provide culturally sensitive care (Gundran et al., 2022). If we do not adopt such approaches, marginalization can persist, care may be delayed, and the outcomes may become even worse for these groups. Rather, enhancing communication and teamwork makes communities stronger and protects lives.

Conclusion

Valley City faces significant challenges in disaster recovery due to its aging infrastructure, vulnerable populations, and limited resources. A well-designed recovery plan, guided by the CERC framework, can enhance communication, coordination, and health equity. Addressing social, cultural, and economic barriers ensures that all community members receive timely care and support. Policies like the ADA and DRRA provide critical protections that must be integrated into response planning. Through inclusive strategies and interprofessional collaboration, Valley City can become better prepared and more resilient in the event of future disasters.

References

ADA. (2021). Introduction to the Americans with disabilities act. ADA.gov. https://www.ada.gov/topics/intro-to-ada/ 

Borges, J., Harari, L., Jung, H., McFeely, M., & Siegrist, N. (2024, June 27). Indigenous worldviews and tribal priorities in hazard mitigation planning. Washington.edu. https://digital.lib.washington.edu/researchworks/items/9162b396-de70-4eaf-868d-77374f8d2be9 

Capella University. (n.d.). RN to BSN | online bachelor’s degree | Capella University. Www.capella.edu. https://www.capella.edu/online-nursing-degrees/bachelors-rn-to-bsn-completion/ 

NURS FPX 4055 Assignment 3 Disaster Recovery Plan

CDC. (2024a, October 22). Social vulnerability index. Cdc.gov. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/place-health/php/svi/index.html 

CDC. (2024b, November). Crisis & emergency risk communication (CERC). Cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/cerc/php/about/index.html 

Census.gov. (2023). QuickFacts: Valley City, North Dakota. Census.gov. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/valleycitycitynorthdakota/PST045223 

Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2021, November 18). Stafford act. Www.fema.gov. https://www.fema.gov/disaster/stafford-act 

FEMA. (2021, July 6). Disaster recovery reform act of 2018 | FEMA.gov. Www.fema.gov. https://www.fema.gov/disaster/disaster-recovery-reform-act-2018 

Gundran, C. P. D., Lam, H. Y., Tuazon, A. C. A., Cleofas, J. V., Garcia, F. B., Puli, T. E. M., & Magdales, M. S. I. (2022). Enhancing mass casualty disaster management competencies through an integrated disaster simulation training program. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2022.103124 

Hanlin, E. R., & Schulz, K. (2021). Incident command system and national incident management system. Emergency Medical Services, 263–272. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119756279.ch95 

Iezzoni, L. I., Rao, S. R., Ressalam, J., Jankovic, D., Agaronnik, N. D., Lagu, T., Pendo, E., & Campbell, E. G. (2022). US physicians’ knowledge about the Americans with disabilities act and accommodation of patients with disability. Health Affairs, 41(1), 96–104. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2021.01136 

NURS FPX 4055 Assignment 3 Disaster Recovery Plan

Mucha, J., Tolksdorf, C., Jeangros, C., Refle, J.-E., & Jackson, Y. (2024). Social determinants of the healthcare needs of undocumented migrants living with non-communicable diseases: A scoping review. British Medical Journal Public Health, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjph-2023-000810 

Walter, L. A., Schoenfeld, E. M., Smith, C. H., Shufflebarger, E., Khoury, C., Baldwin, K., Hess, J., Heimann, M., Crosby, C., Sontheimer, S. Y., Gragg, S., Hand, D., McIlwain, J., Greene, C., Skains, R. M., & Hess, E. P. (2021). Emergency department–based interventions affecting social determinants of health in the United States: A scoping review. Academic Emergency Medicine, 28(6), 666–674. https://doi.org/10.1111/acem.14201