emergency management by eguriase s. m. okaka

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT By Eguriase S. M. Okaka Meaning of Emergencies Management Emergency is any unexpected and often dangerous occurrence that requires immediate action. Emergency management is the creation of plans through which people or groups reduce their vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters. Simply put, it is the process of bringing an emergency under effective control and making human lives and property safe. Emergency management does not prevent or eliminate threats; instead it focuses on creating plans to decrease the impact of an emergency situation. Therefore, emergency management is very important. Types of Emergencies Requiring Management A number of emergencies require management in order to bring under control their destructive effects, to the barest minimum. These emergencies include:  Accident: An accident, being an unfortunate incident that can happen anywhere, requires emergency management.  Fire: Fire is both useful and dangerous. However, if fire becomes an emergency, it does disastrous things; people are burnt and houses and other property are consumed. One thing peculiar to emergency fire is that it causes irretrievable damage. This is why it needs proper management.  Drowning: This is to die through submersion in and inhalation of water. Drowning hardly happens consciously. It is nearly always an emergency.  Building Collapse: Building collapse is caused by the use of fake or sub-standard building materials, weak foundation or detonating devices, etc. building collapse cause a great loss. It is always an emergency.  Food Poisoning: This is the consumption of food that has been contaminated by bacterial or other toxins and is harmful to one’s health. Food poisoning is not always a deliberate act. At times, it happens by chance, especially if the food is packaged.  Fake Drugs: Fake drugs are drugs that are made to look like their original whereas they are not. This is very dangerous because it worsens a person’s illness and might lead to death, if not immediately managed. Appropriate Responses to Emergencies Appropriate response to emergencies can be in the following ways:  Accident: a) We must move the victims away from the accident scene without delay. b) We must give first aid treatment. c) We must take the victims to the hospitals for proper medical care.  Fire: a) We must contact the closest service station immediately. b) We must try to rescue victims trapped in the fire and administer first aid treatment. c) We must provide things that are useful in putting off e.g. water, sand, fire, extinguisher, etc. before the fire fighters arrive. d) We must take the victims to a nearby hospital.  Drowning: a) We must be vigilant in the stream, river, etc., to notice somebody who is in risky situation or who is about to drown. b) We must caution or do what is possible to save a drowning person. c) If already drowned, we must endeavor to locate the body.  Building Collapse: a) We must get to the scene of the accident without delay. b) We must show extreme caution before entering the building. c) We must make frantic efforts to rescue any trapped persons. d) We must give first aid to injured persons. e) We must get them to the hospital for immediate medical care. f) We must assist in rescuing valuables from the collapsed building.  Food Poisoning a) If victim is still conscious, we must give first aid e.g. enough water to drink. b) After first aid, the victim must be taken to the hospital without delay. c) If victim is unconscious, he or she must be taken to the hospital immediately.  Fake Drug: Fake drug victim should be taken to the hospital immediately. Questions: • What is an emergency? • Explain the meaning of emergency management. • Mention any three appropriate responses to emergencies that require prompt management. • Visit a victim of road accident or a building collapse victim in the hospital in your locality and find out how they were rescued. Eguria.blogspot.com