Emergency plans can be adapted to situations, Israeli expert says

The key to calming public panic in a disaster is quick, cohesive action.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Teaching individuals how to take care of themselves for several days, and dealing effectively with the emotional fallout are key to community disaster preparedness planning.
"Islands of resiliency," or small groups of people who can function as emergency teams until regional help arrives, are crucial, said Dr. Mooli Lahad, an Israeli expert in psycho-social emergency preparedness.
"If you don't focus on the behavioral aspects" of the general public and emergency personnel, "your disaster preparedness plan will be less effective," Lahad said.
Lahad, along with Ruvie Rogel, an expert in disaster preparedness courses in multicultural settings, presented two emergency preparedness seminars Tuesday at St. Elizabeth Health Center.
The seminar, designed for first responders, medical and mental health-care professionals, public health professionals and community support organizations, was sponsored by the Mahoning County Emergency Management Agency and Humility of Mary Health Partners, in partnership with the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation.
Lahad and Rogel are both with the International School of Emergency Management, Tel Hai College, Kiriat Shmona, Israel.
Previously, it was believed that for every three killed or wounded in war, there was one emotionally affected. In times of "low intensity conflict," such as those caused by terrorism and some natural disasters, the ratio of emotionally affected to physically wounded can be hundreds to one, Lahad said.
Challenges
That presents a great challenge to the health system and law enforcement, he said.
There can be a great surge of people to the hospitals, who may or may not need medical attention. It is necessary to determine who is suffering from physical wounds and who is suffering from acute stress reaction.
Further, Lahad said, the results of inadequate treatment for people psychologically affected can be symptoms that last longer than necessary and can rise to the level of post traumatic stress disorder, which he said is long lasting and more difficult to treat.
"There is no way you can prepare for all emergencies. However, if you plan for some emergencies, you have a plan you can adapt to the situation," Rogel said.
The key to calming public panic in a disaster is not necessarily who orders initial intervention, but how quickly orders are given and cohesive action taken to give the public confidence someone is in charge, Rogel said.
The immediate needs of the general population in a disaster are rescue, contact with family and friends, and orientation, information and understanding, Rogel said.
"The seminar will help us reassess the way we do things in terms of emergency preparedness," said Walter Duzzny, manager of the Mahoning County Emergency Management Disaster Services Agency.
"We think we are on the right track in seeking out and training volunteers in the community. In a major disaster, residents are going to have to know what to do until the cavalry arrives. We have to decentralize to make this all work," Duzzny said.
alcorn@vindy.com