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Iran, in terms of disasters, is among the top 10 countries in the world. Therefore, timely coordination and provision of rescue, transport, and treatment services after disasters are of particular importance. This study aimed to investigate and provide a short report on the provision of rescue, transport, and treatment services after the 2017 earthquake in Kermanshah.
Methods
This was a review and a descriptive study conducted using the analysis of documents and news published on valid Iranian sites and reports of some service providers in 2017 after the earthquake in Kermanshah.
Results
The most important strengths of post-earthquake services were the military force’s cooperation, people’s support, sending the popular aid and donations to earthquake areas, and the tremendous national support and religious sympathy among the people. Sending the popular aid and donations was such that they resulted in the blockage of communication routes, heavy traffic on the roads, and disrupted the relief and rescue efforts process. However, the most important weaknesses in the provision of services after this earthquake were the lack of preparedness of the government systems and the lack of orderly management for appropriate assistance and relief and, therefore, there was an inappropriate distribution of popular aid and donations among the earthquake victims.
Conclusion
Proper coordination and service delivery after unexpected events in Iran have a considerable distance to reaching the desired point. Unfortunately, similar problems had also occurred in other earthquakes such as the Bam and Rudbar earthquakes. The repetition of these problems indicates the authorities’ lack of readiness and commitment to troubleshoot weaknesses in their emergency response plan. Therefore, it is necessary for government officials to have more preparedness in all related affairs and aspects. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:691–694)
In December 2003, the residents of Bam, Iran experienced an earthquake that measured 6.6 on the Richter scale and destroyed more than 90% of the city.
Problem:
The purpose of this study was to assess the status of the rescue, evacuation, and transportation of the casualties during the early stages following the earthquake.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study of 185 casualties who were transferred to and hospitalized in the university hospital during the first week period following the earthquake was conducted. Information regarding different places of settlement after being removed from the rubble, initial medical care, and the means of transportation was obtained by reviewing medical records and interviewing the victims.
Results:
The mean value of the duration of times taken for the first rescuers to reach the scene and remove the casualties from the rubble was 1.7 ±2.7 and 0.9 ±1.1 hours, respectively. Sixty-nine (37.7%) of the patients stayed within the area immediately surrounding their home for average times of 8 ±10 hours. The majority of casualties (57.6%) were transferred manually to a first place of settlement; 45.8% were taken to a second place of settlement using blankets. Of the patients studied, 159 (85.9%) did not receive any basic medical care at the first place and intravenous fluid therapy was the most common treatment provided for 24 (13%) patients at the second place of settlement. Patients received medical care at the first place of settlement for a mean time of 16.8 ±13.5 hours after escaping the rubble.
Conclusions:
These findings indicate that the emergency medical service system in Bam was destroyed and not able to respond adequately. In order to reduce the negative effects of such disasters in the future, there is an essential need for a comprehensive disaster management plan and improvement of hospital structures, healthcare facilities, and communication between the different governmental departments for better coordination and planning.
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