Personal Preparedness
Family plan: meeting places, communication, out-of-area contact, evacuation routes, shelter-in-place. Emergency kit: water (1 gal/person/day x 3 days), non-perishable food, first aid, flashlight, radio, batteries, medications, copies of important documents, cash. Special needs: children, pets, elderly, disabled, chronic illness (extra medications, medical equipment). Vehicle kit. Work kit (change of clothes, comfortable shoes). Financial: emergency fund, insurance. Training: BLS, first aid, CPR. Update kit annually.
Professional Preparedness
Know hospital disaster plan, your role, chain of command, reporting structure. Know disaster codes (internal/external). Participate in drills — take them seriously. Know PPE: types, location, donning/doffing. Know decontamination procedures. Personal: family plan (so you can work), childcare backup. N-95 fit test. Immunizations: influenza, hepatitis B, tetanus. Know: hospital surge capacity, alternate care sites, evacuation plan. Keep: license, certifications, BLS/ACS current. Mental health: resilience, support system.
During and After
During: report as directed, assess scene safety, don PPE, triage, treat per protocol, document, communicate. Coordinate: with incident command, other agencies. Adapt: resources may be limited, protocols may change. Self-care: breaks, hydration, nutrition, sleep, peer support. After: debrief, CISD, rest, reconnect with family, EAP if needed. Reflect: what went well, what could improve. Report: injuries, exposures, psychological impact. Recovery: physical, emotional, professional. Advocate: for preparedness, safety, worker protection.
Important Notes
- Keep your family disaster plan and emergency kit updated — nurses who are prepared at home can respond to work during a disaster.
- Take disaster drills seriously — they reveal gaps that are costly to discover during a real event.
Clinical Tips
- Know your hospital disaster plan, your role, and chain of command BEFORE a disaster — not during.
- Self-care during and after disasters is essential — nurses cannot care for others if they are exhausted, dehydrated, or psychologically depleted.
Summary
Emergency preparedness requires personal family planning, professional knowledge of disaster plans, training/drills, and self-care during and after disasters.
