The Critical Role of Nurses in Texas Tornado Disaster Management

This report examines the critical roles of nurses in managing the impact of tornadoes in Texas, a state frequently affected by these natural disasters. The report outlines the four phases of disaster management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. For each phase, it details the specific responsibilities of nurses, highlighting their involvement in risk assessment, resource allocation, education, and direct care. Nurses are at the forefront of every phase of disaster, from analyzing risks and developing preparedness plans to providing immediate medical assistance during the response phase and supporting long-term recovery efforts. The report emphasizes the importance of nurses' expertise in saving lives, minimizing the impact of tornadoes, and supporting community well-being, referencing key agencies like the CDC, WHO, and Red Cross. The conclusion stresses the significance of adhering to these phases to reduce fatalities, underscoring the crucial and multifaceted roles nurses play in each stage of tornado management.

Tornadoes in Texas
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Tornadoes in Texas
 Texas states is likely to be hit by tornadoes
 Tornadoes are violent rotating columns of air
which extends from a thunderstorm to the
ground.
 Averagely, Texas is hit by 126 tornadoes every
year (National Geographic, 2019).
 Although violent tornadoes only comprise of
2% of all tornadoes, they cause 70% of all
tornado deaths (National Geographic, 2019).

Phases of disaster
 Helps emergency managers to be able to prepare as
early as possible and respond comprehensively to the
tornadoes.
 This is achieved by framing the issues related to the
preparedness of the tornadoes.
 It also helps in the recovery of the economy as well as
businesses after the tornadoes.
 They include:
 Mitigation
 Preparedness
 Response
 Recovery

Roles of nurses in Phases of
disaster
 Nurses are at the forefront of every disaster.
 In all the phases of disaster, they play different
roles.
 Their roles are guided by principles which
provides insights for effective decision making
 Their roles ranges from bringing critical
expertise to offering education to the
communities.

Mitigation
 This phase involves activities that help prevent
possible future tornadoes or even minimize
their effects.
 At this phase, activities aim at eliminating the
probability of an occurrence of the tornadoes.
 The measures taken depend on the
incorporation of different strategies in the
national and regional community.
 The activities take place before and even after
the tornadoes.

Role of nurses in mitigation
 At this stage, the nurse assesses and analyzes the
risk of the tornadoes
 The nurse also identify the strategies for coping
with the tornadoes in the community (Putra, &
Petpichetchian, 2011).
 The nurse examine the health facilities and
resources available for managing the tornadoes
 Additionally, the nurse examines the current
tornado management plan as well as the local
agencies and organizations who would help in the
management of the disaster.

Role of nurses in mitigation
 The nurse diagnoses and identifies the
actual and potential threats that may be
posed by tornadoes.
 The nurse also examine if the
community-based plan is effective
 The nurse also determines if the
community is aware of the tornadoes
and their participation.

Preparedness
 Preparedness ensures that the suitable
resources and procedures are in place to help
during any disaster.
 At this phase, activities aim at analyzing the
preparedness of handling the tornadoes.
 These may include activities aiming at saving
lives and responding at the rescue operation.
 These activities takes place before the
tornadoes hit the state.

Role of nurses in Preparedness
 At this phase, the nurses are tasked with
undergoing relevant education and training so
as to acquire essential skills in the
management of tornadoes.
 The nurse develops a written plan of disaster
preparedness as well as becoming familiar
with the plan.
 The nurse also triage training in disaster
management
 The nurse also becomes ready to work in a
multidisciplinary team.

Role of nurses in Preparedness
 The nurse ensures there is a control room and
even a response team.
 Additionally, the nurse ensures that the
necessary resources and equipment required
for response are available and highly effective.
 The nurse also ensures that the required
license of operation is in accordance with the
policies of Texas and the national government.
 The nurse must also be familiar with the
personal protective equipment.

Response
 This phase entails activities that aims at safely
responding to the disaster.
 Activities at this phase anticipates of, during and after
the effects of the tornadoes.
 This is to ensure that they are able to minimize its
impacts and that people are accorded relief and
support immediately.
 The activities puts into action the plans of the
preparedness.
 Basically, at this stage, activities ensure there is no
further damages as a result of the tornado.
 The activities at this phase take place during the
tornado.

Role of nurses in Response
 The nurse at this phase is tasked with determining the
magnitude of tornado.
 The determines the health needs of the people affected
by the tornado.
 The nurse is also responsible for establishing the health
priorities of the people affected.
 The nurse is also responsible for collaborating with
other agencies and organizations in helping minimize
the effects of the tornado.
 The nurse determines the resources required so as to
effectively respond.
 the nurse is also responsible for re-riving the stress
associated with the occurrence of the tornado.