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The study of Health and Medical Aspects of Disaster Preparedness was approved by NATO/CCMS in 1985 with the first pilot study meeting in June of that year. The pilot study, under the leadership of the United States and Belgium, focused on the current status of disaster preparedness in partici pating nations. An objective look was taken at the availability or resources to cope with disasters from an international standpoint. The types of disaster settings that were reviewed in the study included the following: (1) Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, avalanches (2) Nuclear power plant accidents or spills (3) Water and aircraft accidents (4) Building fires, building collapses (5) Contamination by hazardous chemicals or biological waste (6) Civil disturbances A disaster can strike anywhere at any time. Some nations and local communities have well-developed disaster plans with which to meet catastrophic situations. The fact is that most communities are without written and coordinated disaster plans which offer their citizens the most effective and comprehensive protection in these unexpected and often critical situations. Disaster has been defined as a sudden event which involves large numbers of people and results in loss of life, serious injury and property loss. together with a severe disruption of community organization and services. In the United States, thousands of people are killed and injured in disasters every year. Thus, disasters constitute a serious problem in both individual and public health terms in this country alone. Disasters can be classified as natural and man-made.
List of contents
Disaster Medicine - An Overall Response to Disaster Situations NATO - Joint Civil/Military Group.- Teaching and Training In Emergency and Disaster Medicine.- A Planning Model for Disaster Response.- The French Armed Services Health Department: Its Role Facing Natural Disasters.- Veterans Administration Health Care System Experience With Natural Disasters.- Chemical Hazards on Ships, Especially Tankers: Toxicargo in General and Chemical Tankers Chemical Hazards on Board.- Veterinary Services in Disasters and Emergencies.- Disaster Planning that Addresses the Preservation of Cultural Property.- A Review of Medical Response to Disaster Casualties.- Common Psychological Themes in Societies' Reaction To Terrorism and Disasters.- Psychological Training of Disaster Workers.- Role and Function of Antipoison Centers in Toxicological Emergencies and Disasters.- Injury Patterns Associated with Earthquakes.- A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Medical Management of Man-Made and Natural Toxic Disasters.- The Aircraft Disaster.
Summary
Proceedings of a four-year pilot study held in Washington, D.C.
