PREPAREDNESS AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL--AN URGENT GOAL
Development of plans at the local level to ensure survival of maximum numbers of the population following a thermonuclear attack is discussed. Seven elements, considered necessary to prepare the community for any emergency, are outlined. These include medical selfhelp training of the population, effective utilization of available medical and allied health personuel, expanded and coordinated operation of all available hospitals and other health facilities, prudent use of medical supplies and equipment, adequate supply of safe water for emergency use, provision for the rehabilitation of damaged health facilities, and restoration and maintenance of the health of the surviving population. It is proposed that emergency preparedness plans should utilize and build on existing health organizations, services, and professional personnel. Intensification of the usual programs should constitute a first line of health defense in any emergency, and a sense of readiness and a core of skills should be developed that are indispensable in a disaster situation. The medical profession bears a heavy responsibility in community programs of health preparedness; in times of disaster, physicians will give leadership to all health operations. They should also guide the development of disaster preparedness plans by setting forth priority needs for health skills, by outlining the special training that is required, and by determining the manner in which health personnel can be best organized in an emergency to assure the most efficient operations. In this way, the community can be sure that all health personnel will kaow their assignments, and will be equipped to carry them out under any circumstances. Emergency health training can also be put to good use against the hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and other misfortunes which disrupt entire communities and cause untold misery. It is suggested that every disaster, or every threat of disaster, should be used as a training ground for civil defense operations. The capability of handling a hypothetical attack should provide a means of responding effectively to natural disasters. Civil defense, it is suggested, is a cooperative undertaking, an interlocking job calling for greatest application of ingenuity, perseverance, and leadership. It involves all members of the health professions and all levels of government, but begins with the local community. (BBB)
- Research Organization:
- Public Health Service, Washington, D.C.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-18-010325
- OSTI ID:
- 4113694
- Journal Information:
- New York State Journal of Medicine (U.S.), Vol. Vol: 63; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-64
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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