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Citation |
Fulmer T, Portelli I, Foltin GL, Zimmerman R, Chachkes E, Goldfrank LR. Disaster Manage. Response 2007; 5(3): 74-81. |
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Affiliation |
School of Medicine, New York, New York; George L. Foltin is Director for the Center for Pediatric Emergency Medicine at New York University School of Medicine, Bellevue Hospital Center, New York, New York; Rae Zimmerman is Professor of Planning and Publi |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2007, Emergency Nurses Association, Publisher Elsevier Publishing) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
17719508 |
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Abstract |
BACKGROUND: Catastrophic events are an ongoing part of life, affecting society both locally and globally. Recruitment, development, and retention of volunteers who offer their knowledge and skills in the event of a disaster are essential to ensuring a functional workforce during catastrophes. These opportunities also address the inherent need for individuals to feel necessary and useful in times of crisis. Universities are a particularly important setting for voluntary action, given that they are based in communities and have access to resources and capabilities to bring to bear on an emergency situation. METHODS: The purpose of the study was to discern how one large private organization might participate and respond in the case of a large scale disaster. Using a 2-phase random sample survey, 337 unique respondents (5.7%) out of a sample of 6000 replied to the survey. RESULTS: These data indicate that volunteers in a private organization are willing to assist in disasters and have skills that can be useful in disaster mitigation. DISCUSSION: Much is to be learned related to the deployment of volunteers during disaster. These findings suggest that volunteers can and will help and that disaster preparedness drills are a logical next step for university-based volunteers. Language: en |