VSF 08: Medical & Mental Health
Based on building collapse estimates, a CSZ incident will cause up to more than 15,000 injuries and over 900 deaths.[1] Portland health and medical resources for fatality management is at roughly 65% of the expected need and triage and initial stabilization capabilities are at only 25% of the expected need.[2]
Many healthcare facilities will be damaged. Return-to-service estimates suggest that two facilities may be returned to service within seven days, but at least seven hospitals are likely to need repairs. Depending on the extent of damage, it may be necessary to relocate a significant number of patients, and people may be unable to acquire necessary medications and treatments. Water and wastewater for healthcare facilities will be severely restricted, hospital fuel stockpiles will rapidly deplete without restoration of supply lines, and transportation to hospitals will be a challenge in many areas.
In the immediate hours after an earthquake and ongoing, NETs conduct triage, provide basic medical care on site, and coordinate the transport of critical patients to healthcare facilities.
Mental Health
In the days and weeks following an earthquake, exhaustion and trauma will cause and exacerbate mental health issues in first responders and residents.
Supplementary Certification Courses
Notes and References
- ↑ Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries. (n.d.). Summary of Impact Estimates: Magnitude 9 Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake occuring during the day, during the wet season. DOGAMI OPEN-FILE REPORT SERIES. Retrieved July 22, 2023, from <nowiki>https://www.oregongeology.org/pubs/ofr/O-18-02/CascadiaEQImpactsbyComm_O-18-02.pdf
- ↑ Better citation needed. This came from a 2023.01.18 Health and Medical lifeline workshop at PBEM; unclear where the statistic was originally found.
