Whenever a disaster strikes a particular nation or community, it makes prominent headlines in the news. Different natural disasters can cause extensive damage to properties and human lives, from earthquakes to storms. Emergency management holds a special significance in controlling these situations in such scenarios. A natural disaster can last for months and even for years. Hence, it is crucial to have a solid emergency management system to ensure the safety of people. Every disaster brings unique challenges, so it requires careful planning to identify and help the most affected areas and people.
It is tough to predict natural disasters, but it is essential to have a foolproof emergency backup plan to protect people. It is possible to rebuild any building or structure after damage, but you can not bring back a human life. So, strategic planning is required to analyze the available resources and utilize them accordingly. There is no particular time guaranteed for recovery after a disaster. Still, it is essential to take precautions to reduce the risk of damage. Let’s find out some emergency management tips to survive after a disaster.
Search and Rescue
After the disaster is over, it is essential to begin the search and rescue process, which can last for days. Health departments hire competent EMS (emergency medical service) providers to make the search and rescue process efficient. You need to earn the EMT (emergency medical training) certification to offer your services as EMS providers.
Ensure that EMS authorizes your EMT course. You can leverage different EMS online platforms to check whether your EMT course is accredited or not. It will let you know whether you are eligible to offer your services in search and rescue operations or not.
A fast response is required after a disaster to save the lives of survivors. It is a team effort in which the collaboration of every individual is required. During this phase, addressing people’s issues is also important who are trapped in their houses and need water and food supplies. So, the role of trained emergency-response professionals and local authorities holds great importance in these situations.
Keep yourself Updated
Keeping yourself updated by listening to the news during disastrous situations is vital. It will help you know the current volcanic eruptions or how far the storm is from your area. You can tune into TV to keep an eye on the current situation. Still, things have become quite accessible nowadays due to technological advancements.
You can monitor the situation on different social media platforms as these channels have more accurate news nowadays. Suppose you hear any announcement by the relevant department of disaster management. In that case, you should start preparing immediately to move to a safer place. Measures taken at the right time will keep you and your loved ones safe.
Work on Safety Drills
Having proper training is necessary to keep yourself and your family members safe during any disaster. Evacuation drill training is given in schools and colleges, so you have to make the best out of it. There is an earthquake drill known as duck, cover, and hold, so regularly practice it. It will help you maintain your composure during an actual earthquake.
Panicking during any disaster and running around here will not help you. Keeping your senses sharp is a must to analyze the situation and act accordingly. Safety drills prepare you mentally and physically to handle the situation as the emergency medical team takes time to reach the affected area.
Keep Copies of Documents with you
You have to keep copies of essential documents with you as your identity during times of crisis. It includes your passport, birth certificate, government ID card, and medical records. Keep all these documents properly organized in a separate file where you can easily access them in emergencies when you have to evacuate.
Suppose the government decides to move you to a safer place with your family. In that case, your documentation will help officials manage their records. Your documents prove your identity, so you can not afford to lose them in such situations.
Keep track of Escape Routes
What will you do during an emergency if you evacuate the home and can not find a safe escape route? It is essential to go through your home to know the possible escape routes in advance. Suppose your property is on fire or you experience a sudden earthquake. In that case, only a safe route will be your lifesaver.
You have to be one hundred percent sure that you and your family can easily pass through these routes. It would also be better if you already knew the location of the evacuation center to seek shelter.
Prepare Emergency Kit
Before seeking shelter anywhere, you need to prepare an emergency bag. It should contain a first aid kit, batteries, essential documents, flashlights, batteries, battery chargers, and food for a few days or weeks. This bag is the survival kit that will help you during a crisis, so you must keep it while evacuating your house.
Conclusion
Surviving during natural disasters is one of the most challenging tasks that you can think of. To survive in such situations, you have to be mentally tough, so preparing for it in advance would be better. It is mandatory to know the basic survival tactics that will help you keep your nerves calm and judge the situation’s sensitivity. Having a good grasp of emergency medical care skills will help you take care of yourself and your loved ones.