Potential Physiological And Psychological Impact A Mass Casualty Event (Essay Sample)

MASS CASULTY EVENT
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1 Describe the potential physiological and psychological impact a mass casualty event may have on first responders. Research an actual event and describe the details of both in that incident.
When disaster strikes it leaves behind destruction including casualties. Mass casualty event is when the number of casualties goes beyond the available resources. It is not necessarily the number of people but the resources available to handle the situation.  There are various physiological and psychological effects of mass casualty. Responders may suffer from stress as they strive to fight the disaster. This can lead to mental or physical stress (Garcia, 2011). As the first responders run up and down to salvage the situation they can develop stress due to the overwhelming rescue work.
First responders are also likely to be traumatized in their rescue mission. The event can easily turn to a traumatic event because the responders encounter shocking and life threatening incidences that leave them traumatized. This may lead to fatigue, problem while sleeping, and withdrawal from people and change in eating habits (Everly, 2008). This can enter fear with the normal functioning of the body.
In the September 11th 2001 attack in America, the images and videos of what happened in the disaster affects those who were on the front line to date. If the videos are played again the first responders who saw the situation at first end up being affected psychologically (Policeone, 2017). This implies the first responders are exposed to horrible images. Another thing is effects caused by direct exposure to substances found in the dust. This has affected their physiology and they are still suffering. Some of the first fire fighters on the ground are likely to be diagnosed with cancer. Many people who were first responders in the September 2001 attack have been diagnosed with various illnesses as a result of the attack (Wilkinson, 2016). This indicates that mass casualty event has devastating physiological and psychological effects on first responders.
2. Research a recent mass casualty incident in which decontamination was necessary. Explain the details of the event and the procedures used by the responders to handle the situation. Would you have handled the situation differently? If so, how?
Decontamination is part of the rescue work of the responders employed at the scene of the disaster. It deals with the removal of harmful substance like chemicals or radioactive material. This should be done fast to avoid more tragedies related to the disaster (Carter, 2016).  An example of a recent mass casualty where decontamination was necessary is the Egypt church attacks that took place on 9th of April 2017.
In the Egypt church attacks, there were many casualties. These disasters happened on a Palm Sunday when the Coptic believers had gathered for worship. The attack happened in two different Coptic churches. The first incident happened in Mar Gerges church in Tanta. This is situated in the Nile delta the northern part of Egypt.  In this attack, there was a blast in the church that killed 27 people and wounded 78 people (Foxnews, 2017). The second attack happened in a church in Alexandria. It was in the Mar Markas church where 16 people were killed and 41 others injured.
The first responders tried to contain the situation by providing emergency services to those in dire need.  The responders took the injured from the church. They ferried them to various hospitals to get specialized treatment. Those who were injured were rushed to the hospital using private cars (Doubek, 2017). People offered their vehicles to rush the casualties to hospital.
What the first responders did in the incident was excellent; however, it was important to consider decontamination of the scene and the casualties. This could curb further deformities and damages that could happen. Based on the physical analysis the facility could appear safe after the attack when it is not. Scientific clean up was mandatory to ensure that the two churches and the casualties are out of danger (National academies, 2017). It is important to go beyond the normal emergency service and think about the aftermath of...