The assessment of disaster preparedness of certain areas is to a large extent liable to subjectivity. For a modern society, however, objectivity is a prerequisite. A methodology is presented calculating the disaster preparednes of municipalities, counties, provinces, states, or even countries. Standardization of this methodology could allow comparison of disaster preparedness between these areas.

Disaster Planning↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The medical severity index of disasters.

In 1980 an international working party postulated a definition for a disaster. Later this concept was formulated into a classification and scoring system. This system has now been refined to be used prospectively during the management stage of a calamity. By calculating the medical severity index, which is the product of the casualty load and the severity of the incident, and comparing this figure with the available total capacity of the medical services, which is the medical rescue capacity, the medical transport capacity and the hospital treatment capacity, the dispatcher at the control center can fairly quickly and precisely identify if a calamity is to be regarded as a disaster or not and if the region can cope with the situation. Moreover a calculation of the hospital treatment capacity in the region could serve as a guideline for estimation of the dimensions needed for the medical rescue capacity and medical transport capacity when planning how to deal with a disaster.

Disaster Planning↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Definition and classification of disasters: introduction of a disaster severity scale.

In disaster medicine, a meaningful definition of the word disaster is lacking. A simple definition, using only two criteria, is proposed. Added to this, a classification scheme is formulated. Based on this definition and classification, a disaster severity scale is introduced. The methodology used is described, and the significance of these proposals is discussed.

Disaster Planning↗

PubMedDate not supplied

An introduction to disaster medicine in Europe.

Disaster medicine, which is based primarily on military and emergency medicine, is a young branch on the old tree of medicine. It touches on various disciplines within and outside the medical field. The subject is being taught on the academic and postacademic levels at many universities throughout Europe. The first chair in disaster medicine was established in Linkoping, Sweden; the second is now in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Some aspects of disaster medicine specifically oriented toward Europe are presented.

Disaster Planning↗