Disaster Management
What do you mean by disaster management?
When I use this term, I’m thinking about things like large-scale natural disasters, medium-scale workplace building accidents, and small-scale incidents like car accidents. Managing disasters just means having a plan on how to deal with these events and help the people involved. And before I get into what PTs and PTAs can do here, I’m going to include the disclaimer that these are special circumstances. During emergencies, people do things they may not normally do or be allowed to do. And especially when we talk about big things like hurricanes or earthquakes, it’s better for PTs and PTAs to be part of a formal disaster response team that’s discussed strategies ahead of time because there can be regulations and laws to work around.
What can physical therapists and physical therapist assistants do in these situations?
PTs and PTAs are trained to move people SAFELY! They are really good at using physics to their advantage to move people with little to no help while also avoiding further damage to any injuries. They can also be useful for assisting with triage and providing interventions. While PTs are not trained to provide internal medicine care, they are trained to recognize medical emergencies and most now have a doctorate level education that includes courses in neuroscience, pharmacology, pathophysiology, wound care, pediatrics, and geriatrics. In an event where many people need medical attention, PTs can help determine who needs help NOW, who needs help SOON, and who needs help LATER. They can also provide a skilled set of hands for another healthcare provider if needed.
How do we make it happen?
If you’re part of a disaster response team, reach out to physical therapists and physical therapist assistants in your area and involve them in the process! They can help with planning, responding, cleanup, and they may have more ideas!
If you’re a PT or PTA who’s interested in helping, find a local disaster relief organization and reach out to see what you can do. The links below are a good place to start! If the facility where you work doesn’t have a disaster management plan, get one started! You can also share the link to this page to spread the word!
If you’d like to read a bit more about this topic, this resource is kind of long but it’s full of personal stories and worth the time:
PTs, PTAs, and Disaster Response
And if you’re a PT or PTA, this one’s for you!