Irelands Initial Response
In the likely event that we will one day have to implement our D.R.M, we will have to all be prepared. However we have noted quite a few deficiencies in applying the D.R.M. At the moment, Ireland would not be able to cope with a national emergency due to a number of factors: poorly prepared emergency services, crowded hospitals, lack of experience in dealing with national disasters and lack of planning and awareness. Procedures need to be put in place in order to ensure the minimum amount of casualties. Towns within a 5 mile radius of the sea need to be particularly prepared.
-There needs to be some sort of warning procedure. Ireland will have approximately 6 hours notice of this tsunami. The most effective warning procedure would be if all the mobile phone networks in Ireland had a pre-composed text message, ready to send to all their customers, telling them that there is a tsunami coming and to evacuate their homes. This would be quick and efficient as every household in Ireland has at least one mobile phone.
-There should be an allocated building in each community where people can go for shelter. This building has to be more inland, on a height, and large and sturdy. It could be a hotel, sports club, or a school. It should be equipped with tinned or dried foods, water and blankets.
-Emergency services have no experience in major emergencies such as a tsunami. Major emergency plans and training needs to be provided for the ambulances, fire brigades, police, coast guards, defence forces, and voluntary organisations also, to avoid panic and confusion and to ensure efficiency.
-As hospitals are already crowded, Local G.Ps will have a large role to play. They need to be involved in the D.R.M so that hospitals are reserved only for the serious cases. Most communities have at least five G.Ps, these doctors should go, fully equipped to their communities’ allocated building. These doctors will be able to deal with a large number of minor casualties, freeing up space in the hospitals for the serious cases.
-Staff in the hospital must be prepared to act quickly and have all the necessary equipment ready and available.
If Irelands deficiencies were remedied and all these necessary procedures taken, Ireland would be able to implement a very successful D.R.M.
