Chapter 52 Disaster Response

Question 1

after-action report (AAR)

Answer 1

The official internal report of the entire event, such as a disaster, which should contain the facts of the incident reflected in a chronologic, accurate manner.

Question 2

all-hazards approach

Answer 2

The act of conducting comprehensive predisaster planning that will apply to any situation.

Question 3

ashfall

Answer 3

The residue left behind from a volcanic eruption.

Question 4

casualty collection points

Answer 4

Areas where slightly injured or noninjured displaced people can be gathered together and transported by bus or truck for further treatment.

Question 5

critical infrastructure

Answer 5

The external foundation in communities made up of structures and services critical in the day-to-day living activities of humans: energy sources, fuel, water, sewage removal, food, hospitals, and transportation systems.

Question 6

directed area

Answer 6

An area away from the command post or emergency operations center, considered by engineering expertise to be a safe place to stage until directed otherwise.

Question 7

disaster

Answer 7

A sudden, calamitous event, such as an accident or catastrophe, that causes great damage, loss, or destruction.

Question 8

disaster management

Answer 8

A planned, coordinated response to a disaster that involves cooperation of multiple responders and agencies and enables effective triage and provision of care according to triage decisions.

Question 9

dust suffocation

Answer 9

A phenomenon that can occur during an earthquake, in which particles of dust and debris are loosened and released into the air, producing a toxic and hypoxic atmosphere.

Question 10

emergency operations center (EOC)

Answer 10

A central command and control facility, found at all government levels, responsible for strategic overview; tactical decisions are left to incident commanders.

Question 11

epidemic

Answer 11

An illness or disease that affects or tends to affect a disproportionately large number of people within a specific population, community, or region at the same time.

Question 12

forward surgical team

Answer 12

A team, usually staffed with physicians, nurses, and emergency medical services providers, that performs minor surgical procedures and débridements in the field, taking some of the load from the hospital facility.

Question 13

incident command system (ICS)

Answer 13

A system implemented to manage disasters and mass-casualty incidents in which section chiefs, including operations, finance, logistics, and planning, report to the incident commander.

Question 14

lister bags

Answer 14

Heavy canvas bags that can be hung from trees containing water in amounts from 40 to 100 gallons (151 to 379 L).

Question 15

mutual aid agreements

Answer 15

Documents that pre-determine how you will access help from other areas when needed.

Question 16

overtopping

Answer 16

A situation in which a reservoir overflows its borders.

Question 17

pandemic

Answer 17

An illness or disease that affects a high proportion of the population over a broad or potentially worldwide geographic area.

Question 18

point of distribution (POD)

Answer 18

A strategically placed facility that has been preestablished for the mass distribution of antibiotics, antidotes, and vaccinations, along with other medications and supplies.

Question 19

pyroclastic explosions

Answer 19

Blasts from flowing or standing lava that can have a wide dispersal circumference, spewing ash and magma.

Question 20

radio operators

Answer 20

Amateur radio operators who have a formal emergency communications set of standard operating procedures. Most are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission.

Question 21

seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

Answer 21

Depression that can affect people in long periods of bad weather, usually winter.

Question 22

shelter-in-place

Answer 22

The act of safeguarding oneself or others from a hazard by remaining in a protected location, usually inside a structure; typically involves simple measures such as shutting the windows, going to the cellar, or turning off the heating and air conditioning systems.

Question 23

tag lines

Answer 23

Rope or cord tied to a person who is entering a dangerous environment; used for quick retrieval, usually in conjunction with a harness.

Question 24

thermals

Answer 24

Differing temperatures and swirling patterns of moving air with changes in wind speed.

Question 25

unified command system

Answer 25

A command system used in larger incidents in which there is a multi-agency response or multijurisdictional response to coordinate decision making and cooperation among the agencies.

Question 26

water buffalo trailers

Answer 26

Portable trailers that contain from 500 to 3,000 gallons (1,893 to 11,356 L) of water.