Materials Used for Disaster Management

Disaster management deals with dangerous natural and man-made conditions. It requires knowledge of the potential hazards, causes and effects resulting from various types of disasters. Being able to manage in a disaster situation is more than just applying response and relief techniques; it includes proactive and assessment measures to control negative impact and determine the needs of the affected people.

Audio Materials

• Audio materials provide information, instructions and warnings to the public in several different languages. Recordings provide governmental offices with particular information the public needs when faced with different types of disasters. Audio recordings that suit the needs of an area play via radio stations, wireless networks and announcement vehicles to warn the public of impending disasters and other dangerous conditions.

Literature

• An important part of disaster management is preparedness through education. Federal, state and local authorities mail brochures to residents to provide awareness of possible disasters and ways to prepare for them. Aware and prepared residents are more likely to survive a disaster, lowering death tolls and making rescue efforts more productive.

Education

• Teaching students about preparedness and survival for all types of disasters requires cooperation between government officials and school administrations. Providing students with written and verbal information along with visual aids, such as games, has a profound impact on learning capabilities and interest. Information delivered in this manner is more likely to be communicated to other family members, increasing awareness.

MSDS

• Disasters not only happen on a large scale, but are localized to smaller areas, such as the workplace. Workers exposed to a variety of chemicals and large equipment become susceptible to possible disasters. When chemicals are present, workers should read the material safety data sheet (MSDS) for each chemical they come in contact with. A MSDS provides worker and emergency personnel with proper handling procedures for a particular substance. Information on the sheet includes melting point, boiling point, flash point, toxicity, health effects, first aid procedures, reactivity to other substances, storage, disposal methods and clean-up requirements. In addition, the MSDS lists protective equipment that must be worn while in contact with the substance.

Training Modules

• A vital part of disaster management is being able to assess damages caused by various disasters. Training modules and college-course materials provide information on how to access all type of disasters that occur all over the world. Disaster assessment determines the impact an event has on society, including immediate and life-sustaining emergency measures, available resources and the possibility of long-term recovery efforts. Assessment is crucial to all other disaster management tasks, no matter the size, type or location of the event.