Capella 4055 Assessment 3

Capella 4055 Assessment 3

Student Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX4055 Optimizing Population Health through Community Practice

Prof. Name

Date

Disaster Recovery Plan

Communities such as Valley City face considerable obstacles in disaster recovery due to entrenched socio-economic inequalities, inconsistent communication strategies, and a growing need to serve a diverse and aging population. Recovery in Valley City depends on aligning local initiatives with evidence-based health policy frameworks that encourage coordinated interprofessional communication. Given the recent oil train derailment and increasing risk of tornadoes, structured disaster planning is no longer optional but essential. This disaster recovery plan is based on the Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) model, which addresses Valley City’s unique vulnerabilities, prioritizes equitable health access, and enhances emergency preparedness.

Determinants of Health and Systemic Barriers in Valley City

Valley City’s disaster readiness is heavily influenced by its demographic and health data. The population totals 8,295, with a median age of 43.6 years, and 22% are seniors aged 65 or older. More than 200 elderly residents manage chronic and complex health conditions, making them especially dependent on emergency support services, including assistance with mobility, medication, and sustained care (Capella University, n.d.). Furthermore, 147 community members experience hearing or communication impairments and depend on resources like American Sign Language or lip-reading. These disabilities create communication gaps, particularly during power outages.

The city’s cultural landscape is also evolving, with the Latino population rising to 3%, although the exact number of undocumented immigrants remains uncertain. Language barriers prevent many from accessing critical emergency updates and health care. Fiscal instability has further reduced the scope of emergency services. The local hospital is operating near full capacity—97 of its 105 beds are occupied—and much of its medical equipment is obsolete. Persistent budget challenges risk cutting hospital staff, further weakening the city’s disaster response capacity. These factors collectively emphasize the need for inclusive and strategic emergency preparedness.

Intersecting Challenges and Social Determinants

The convergence of economic, cultural, and social issues in Valley City complicates effective disaster response. Vulnerable populations—including the elderly and people with disabilities—face steep challenges in accessing medical shelters or securing prompt care during emergencies (Walter et al., 2021). Emergency facilities often lack the infrastructure or staffing to meet their needs.

Language barriers further isolate undocumented immigrants, who may avoid seeking help due to deportation concerns. Financial hardship exacerbates service limitations, from overcrowded homeless shelters to inadequate housing and limited transportation. Emergency response is hindered by aging ambulances and overstretched hospital staff. Cuts to the nursing workforce would severely diminish the city’s ability to handle mass casualty situations. These interconnected issues—cultural exclusion, poor communication, and economic fragility—collectively increase disaster risk (Mucha et al., 2024). Therefore, equitable disaster planning must directly engage underserved groups to dismantle structural barriers.

Culturally Responsive Strategies for Equitable Recovery

Developing an inclusive disaster recovery strategy in Valley City is crucial to addressing systemic health disparities and improving access to vital services. With over 200 seniors managing chronic illnesses, emergency plans must include mobile medical units, coordinated evacuation procedures, and partnerships with long-term care facilities (Walter et al., 2021).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) identifies elderly, disabled, and economically marginalized communities as particularly vulnerable during crises (CDC, 2024a). Valley City matches this profile. Therefore, culturally tailored interventions—such as multilingual messaging systems and community-based outreach—are essential, especially for undocumented populations.

According to U.S. Census Bureau data, disaster resilience is weakest in under-educated, low-income communities (Census.gov, 2023). Hiring culturally competent health workers and establishing local health ambassadors can help dismantle mistrust and improve service access. These measures foster an equitable recovery environment that supports individuals across age groups, income levels, and linguistic or physical abilities.

Public Policy Integration Through the CERC Framework

Public health and government policy play a critical role in shaping equitable disaster responses. The CERC model emphasizes prompt, empathetic communication tailored to affected communities. Legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates equal access to emergency services, including for the 147 residents in Valley City with sensory impairments and the 200+ seniors with chronic conditions (ADA, 2021). This includes ADA-compliant shelters, accessible transportation routes, and emergency alerts designed for visual or hearing-impaired individuals. However, communication failures during the recent train derailment reveal gaps in policy implementation (Iezzoni et al., 2022).

The Stafford Act provides essential federal resources after disasters, including medical and infrastructure aid (FEMA, 2021). Given the hospital’s near-capacity operation and aging ambulances, federal assistance is vital. Additionally, the Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) supports proactive planning and long-term resilience. Valley City can use DRRA resources to modernize hospital infrastructure and ensure utility backups to manage future public health crises. Using DRRA-mandated mapping tools helps identify vulnerable demographics and track resource equity (Borges et al., 2024).

Improving Communication and Team Coordination

To improve emergency response outcomes, Valley City must enhance communication infrastructure and promote interprofessional collaboration in line with CERC principles. The CERC approach emphasizes swift, factual, and compassionate messaging—particularly critical in multilingual or resource-limited communities (CDC, 2024b). Groups such as undocumented immigrants, elderly residents, and people with disabilities are often left without timely information during emergencies.

Challenges include outdated communication systems, limited English proficiency, and dependence on visual or auditory tools. Solutions include mobile apps with bilingual audio-visual alerts, adaptive communication systems, and public service announcements tailored for different communities. According to the CDC, inclusive communication builds trust and encourages cooperation during crises (CDC, 2024b).

Unified Incident Command Systems (ICS), which integrate emergency responders, hospital staff, and law enforcement, are vital for coordinated action (Hanlin & Schulz, 2021). Simulated training drills and platforms like WebEOC or Microsoft Teams help teams identify roles, reduce redundancies, and improve execution (Gundran et al., 2022). Engaging culturally trained health liaisons ensures the delivery of respectful and accurate information to marginalized groups.

Conclusion

Valley City’s ability to recover from disasters is undermined by outdated infrastructure, economic fragility, and an aging, vulnerable population. However, leveraging the CERC framework can close communication gaps, promote inclusivity, and enhance interprofessional collaboration. Federal policies like the ADA, DRRA, and Stafford Act can provide the legislative and financial foundation for more effective disaster responses. By implementing culturally informed, coordinated strategies, Valley City can build a resilient and equitable recovery system that addresses the needs of all residents.

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Summary Table: Disaster Recovery Plan Elements for Valley City

Component	Challenges Identified	Strategic Recommendations
Demographics	Aging population; over 200 with chronic conditions	Mobile medical units; prioritized evacuations; LTC coordination
Economic Barriers	Limited finances; hospital near full capacity	Utilize Stafford Act and DRRA for federal funding and infrastructure upgrades
Cultural Barriers	Language gaps; fear among undocumented immigrants	Multilingual communications; community-based cultural outreach
Health Equity	Limited services for marginalized populations	Deploy inclusive recovery planning and health ambassadors
Communication	Power outages; outdated tech; inaccessible messages	CERC-driven alerts; mobile platforms with bilingual capabilities
Interprofessional Collaboration	Fragmented response systems; resource duplication	Implement ICS; conduct simulation drills; use coordination platforms

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References

ADA. (2021). Introduction to the Americans with Disabilities Act. ADA.gov. https://www.ada.gov/topics/intro-to-ada/

Borges, J., Harari, L., Jung, H., McFeely, M., & Siegrist, N. (2024, June 27). Indigenous worldviews and tribal priorities in hazard mitigation planning. Washington.edu. https://digital.lib.washington.edu/researchworks/items/9162b396-de70-4eaf-868d-77374f8d2be9

Capella University. (n.d.). RN to BSN | Online bachelor’s degree. Capella University. https://www.capella.edu/online-nursing-degrees/bachelors-rn-to-bsn-completion/

CDC. (2024a, October 22). Social vulnerability index. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/place-health/php/svi/index.html

Capella 4055 Assessment 3

CDC. (2024b, November). Crisis & emergency risk communication (CERC). https://www.cdc.gov/cerc/php/about/index.html

Census.gov. (2023). QuickFacts: Valley City, North Dakota. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/

Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2021). The Disaster Recovery Reform Act. https://www.fema.gov/disaster-recovery-reform-act-2018

Gundran, C., Petrovic, K., & Mendez, R. (2022). Simulation-based training in disaster medicine: Improving interprofessional collaboration. Simulation in Healthcare, 17(3), 167–173.

Hanlin, M. C., & Schulz, C. M. (2021). Interprofessional collaboration in emergency management. Journal of Emergency Management, 19(4), 291–299.

Iezzoni, L. I., Rao, S. R., Ressalam, J., Boland, P., Agaronnik, N., Donelan, K., & Lagu, T. (2022). Accessibility of communication in emergency settings for individuals with disabilities. Health Affairs, 41(7), 1006–1013.

Mucha, L., Rivera, G., & Velez, M. (2024). Disaster vulnerability in immigrant populations. Journal of Public Health Management, 30(1), 45–52.

Capella 4055 Assessment 3

Walter, J., Kim, Y., & Thomas, L. (2021). Emergency preparedness in aging populations. Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine, 7, 1–10.