Cindy Chiu

MEAS 238
Medical Assistant
Emergency Preparedness
October 5, 2014

1. From your research, define; in a brief paragraph the phrase emergency preparedness
using your own words.
Emergency preparedness is a step by step procedures on what to do before, during, and after a
natural disaster. Its all about keeping you and your family safe.
2. Natural disasters are caused by meteorological or geological events. They include
earthquakes, floods, heat waves, hurricanes, tornadoes, winter storms, volcanic eruptions,
and wildfires. Although these events can happen anywhere, some are more likely to
occur in specific geographic areas than in others. Of those events listed, select three you
believe could most likely happen in our geographic location of Southern Indiana and
Northern Kentucky. Next, give a brief summary of how and/or why the event usually
occurs. Then, discuss (separately) the potential/likely impact of each of the three events
on the people and community.
In my opinion, I would say the three natural disasters that could happen or have happen in our
area would be tornados, floods, and snow storms. Tornados have been very recent in the
Southern Indiana area. Tornados are spawned from powerful thunderstorms, and with this area
we get all types of weather. The past years we have had tornados touchdown and destroyed a lot
of properties. Luckily, I havent dealt with one in Floyd county area. The most devastating
tornado that I remember was a couple years ago, and it hit Henryville, Indiana. It effected the
whole community. Schools were closed, people were homeless, didnt have food, clothes,
nothing. People as a community came together and raised money to rebuild homes and the
school. Floods is the most common natural disaster in the United States. We actually get a lot of
rain in this area. We would get different flood spots, couple inches of rain. Snow storms usually
happen in the winter and last winter we had a couple of snow storms. It was the worst winter Ive
been through. I think this winter will be bad too. Snow storms is combined with snow and rain
ice with powerful winds. Usually when a natural disaster happens, it destroys property. It injures
or kill people. Tornados are deadly. Floods can damage property and cars, and people drown.
Snow storms can bury people in their house or cars. People can get frost bites.
3. In your research you no doubt found there are elements that are critical to any emergency
response plan to a natural disaster or other emergency. These critical elements might
include basics such as food, fresh water, shelter, medical care, etc. But they may also
include security, telecommunications, human resources, vital records, banking, etc.
Discuss these elements and why they are critical, and how they might be addressed
and/or provided for in an emergency plan.
Yes, all the basic elements are important to have to survive a natural disaster. Its important to
have telecommunication because you want to keep updated with the weather and contact with
people. Security to make sure you are safe, most important thing is to keep yourself safe. Human
resources for people that might be at work or school. They usually handle the preparation list and
evacuation plan for employees. You want to bring vital records because in case your property is

destroyed, you will have some identity proof of insurance, and records you need. Banking for
money.
4. Briefly discuss what the potential role(s) of the medical assistant in emergency
preparedness might be.
Have the medical assistant be included in process planning, and specify what employees should
do. Make sure every employees know what to do during emergency evaluation. They could
gather belongings and make sure everybody is out and secure.
5. When preparing for a possible emergency situation, it is best to think first about the
basics of survival: fresh water, food, clean air, and warmth. Prepare an itemized list of
items, which are recommended to be included in a basic emergency supply kit.

Food
Water
First Aid Kit
Flash light
Clothes
Battery
Radio
Tools
Medications
Personal hygiene items
Copies of personal documents
Cell Phone
Cash
Blankets
Maps

6. Also, prepare a list of additional items, which may not be considered essential, but, may
be necessary, or come in very handy during an emergency situation; especially one that
might last more than a few hours/days.
You would need gallons of water, can opener, can goods, paper towels, garbage cans, duct tape,
rope, marker etc. If you have pets, you would need food, liter, and leash. If you have a baby, you
would need baby formula, diapers, bathing items.
7. After your research, prepare a current list of community resources for emergency
preparedness beneficial to you both personally and as a professional health care worker
(medical assistant). When prepare your list, recognize the importance of updating and
maintaining a current list.

New Albany Resources

American Red Cross, Clark County Chapter
American Red Cross, Louisville Area Chapter
City of New Albany
Floyd Memorial Hospital
New Albany Police Department
State of Indiana Resources
Indiana Safety Net (Indianas public safety information network)
Indiana State Emergency Management Agency
Indiana State Police
National Weather Service Forecast for Louisville (current forecast, warnings, watches)
Federal Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Citizen Corps
Federal Bureau of Investigation
FirstGov Emergency Response
Ready.gov
U.S Postal Service
It is important to keep an updated current list because businesses are always changing, new
businesses comes in. You want to keep it maintain; in case of an emergency, people can look up
what they need to do and where they need to go.

Work Cited
Resources for Emergency. Indiana University. The Indiana University, n.d. Web. 6 Oct. 2014.
http://www.ius.edu/aboutsoutheast/emergencypreparedness/emergency-resources.php.

Indiana Tornados. Indiana Tornados. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Oct. 2014.

http://www.tornadoproject.com/alltorns/intorn.htm.

Emergency Preparedness and Response. Safety and Health Topics / Emergency Preparedness
and Response. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Oct. 2014.
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/emergencypreparedness/.

Gather Emergency Supplies. CDC Emergency and Preparedness and You. N.p., 31 Jan. 2014.
Web. 05 Oct. 2014. http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/kit/disasters/.