Disaster Preparedness in the Community

This chapter discusses disaster preparedness which is the preparedness for the first and immediate response to disaster. Disaster plan at field and that in hospital, disaster drills and other training of medical response to disaster will be presented. Primary care plays a vital role in disaster preparedness in education, physical and psychosocial supports. Besides, regular fire drills are organised in the community. The chapter will illustrate the disaster medicine training in the Auxiliary Medical Service (AMS) of Hong Kong and describe its function and importance in disaster preparedness and emergencies in the community. The cooperation between AMS’s members, staff of accident and emergency departments and lay volunteers has improved the disaster response process. The Medical Advisory Board on Major Events was established for maintaining the standards of paramedic service by AMS members. The Board was replaced by the Medical Professional Committee on Major Events (MPCOME) in 2008. MPCOME provides education to volunteers with advanced medical equipment to rescue victims in the community. The disaster medical assistants (DMAs) play an important supporting role during disasters in the community. The chapter ends with discussion on the challenges and recommendations of disaster preparedness in the community.