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Theme 5. Application of International Standards to Disasters: Summary and Action Plan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Frederick M. Burkle Jr.
Affiliation:
Senior Scholar & Scientist, The Center for International Emergency, Disaster & Refugee Studies, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutes, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Judy Isaac-Renton
Affiliation:
Director, The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Professor, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA
A. Beck
Affiliation:
Department of Trauma Surgery, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital, Ulm, GERMANY
Clifford P. Belgica
Affiliation:
Manager, Baguio City Emergency Medical Service, City Disaster Management Coordinating Council, Baguio City, PHILIPPINES
John Blatherwick
Affiliation:
Medical Health Officer of the City of Vancouver, Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA
Lyse A. Brunet
Affiliation:
Chief, VIP Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA
Norman E. Hardy
Affiliation:
Ministry of Health; Province of British Columbia, British Columbia, CANADA
Perry Kendall
Affiliation:
Ministry of Health; Province of British Columbia, British Columbia, CANADA
Osamu Kunii
Affiliation:
Department of International Community Health, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, JAPAN
William Lokey
Affiliation:
FEMA Region 10, Bothell, Washington, USA
Guy Sansom
Affiliation:
Emergency Care Centre, St.Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
Ronald Stewart
Affiliation:
Professor of Emergency Medicine, Professor of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, CANADA

Abstract

Introduction:

The need for the application of international standards has been evolving over the last decade. Consistency is needed not just in how we respond, but in when we respond. The discussions in this theme reflected on the progress of standard setting both at the local level and internationally.

Methods:

Details of the methods used are provided in the introductory paper. The chairs moderated all presentations and produced a summary that was presented to an assembly of all of the delegates. The chairs then presided over a workshop that resulted in the generation of a set of action plans that then were reported to the collective group of all delegates.

Results:

Main points developed during the presentations and discussion included: (1) requirement of standards of care for ALL disasters and core parameters, (2) process and procedure is best when there is interagency collaboration and coordination, (3) problems in disasters are management-related, not skill-related, and (4) standards of care must encompass evolving emergencies (e.g., emerging diseases, landmines).

Discussion:

The action plans for Theme 5 included: (1) develop positions of standards for management, health and public health, education and training, research, psychosocial aspects, and disaster plans; (2) advocate for actions and task forces to deal with evolving and emerging disasters, terrorism, landmines, and emerging infections; (3) proactively work to advocate and facilitate the multidisciplinary and multiorganizational requirements for disaster management; and (4) develop a resource list of interdisciplinary institutions and activities organized by country and topic including the design and maintenance of a website.

Conclusions:

There is a clear need for international standards for the management of disasters. Positions and advocacy for these positions are required to define and implement such standards.

Type
5th Asia-Pacific Conference on Disaster Medicine
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2001

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References

5th Asia-Pacific Conference on Disaster Medicine (5APCDM): Theme 5: Application of international standards to disasters. Prehosp Disast Med 2000;15(3):s60–s67 (http://pdm.medicine.wisc.edu).Google Scholar
1.DeGrace, M, Ericson, D, Folz, H, Greene, W, Ho, K, Pearce, L: Proceedings for the 5th Asia-Pacific Conference on Disaster Medicine: Summaries and action plans. Prehosp Disast Med 2001;16(1)1821.CrossRefGoogle Scholar