Capella 4060 Assessment 2 Community Resources
Capella 4060 Assessment 2 Community Resources
Name
Capella university
NURS-FPX 4060 Practicing in the Community to Improve Population Health
Prof. Name
Date
Community Resources
Community resources encompass governmental or non-profit organizations dedicated to enhancing the welfare of communities by improving safety, health, and security. This paper focuses on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a vital community resource. FEMA, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter. Since March 1, 2003, it has been incorporated into the Department of Homeland Security (FEMA, 2021).
Mission and Vision of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
The FEMA supports the public by assisting before, during, and after disasters. This mission is carried out by more than 20,000 employees nationwide who work together to help communities recover from disasters such as hurricanes, floods, windstorms, earthquakes, wildfires, and pandemics. FEMA’s vision is to save lives during disasters and enhance safety and health in catastrophic events, whether natural or man-made. This is achieved through a coordinated government operational response in areas affected by disasters with the goals of saving lives, reducing suffering, and quickly and effectively protecting property (FEMA, 2023). FEMA plays a crucial role in improving public health and safety, as disaster recovery requires prompt and continuous efforts.
One example of an initiative that aligns with FEMA’s mission and vision is its Natural Disaster Preparedness and Response Efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. FEMA coordinated the entire government response to COVID-19 and initially served as the pandemic’s principal federal agency. It ensured the recruitment of personnel from various agencies to coordinate effective response and recovery efforts at both local and national levels. This included roles such as increasing hospital surge capacity, managing critical shortages of medical supplies like PPE, and distributing equipment from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) (FEMA, 2021). Through these efforts, FEMA helped the U.S. government prepare for and respond effectively to the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting its mission and vision.
Provision of Equal Opportunity and Improved Quality of Life
Social, Cultural, Economic, and Physical Barriers
Various factors impede health equity in disaster preparedness and recovery, including social, cultural, economic, and physical barriers. These barriers encompass poverty, discrimination, lack of education, poor socioeconomic conditions, limited access to healthcare, food and housing insecurity, diverse cultural customs, stigma around seeking medical and non-medical help, lack of transportation, and inadequate community infrastructure, all of which hinder access to assistance after disasters (Chang, 2019). These obstacles prevent FEMA from fully realizing its mission to support disaster-affected individuals and delay community recovery by prolonging the state of distress due to ineffective disaster management.
FEMA is actively working to overcome these barriers, ensuring that all community members are treated equally before, during, and after disasters in terms of saving lives and providing security. By offering equal opportunities for safety, shelter, healthcare, and non-medical services, FEMA aims to improve everyone’s quality of life. To achieve this, FEMA has developed an Equity Action Plan as part of the federal equity initiative. This plan seeks to use federal assistance to advance racial fairness and assist underprivileged areas, improving the quality of life for all disaster-affected individuals. The plan includes actions such as ensuring inclusiveness to maintain equity, embedding equity as a foundation for public health, achieving equitable outcomes for disaster survivors, and building resilience (FEMA, 2022).
Impact of Funding Sources, Policy, and Legislation
For the effective functioning of any governmental or non-profit organization, funding sources, policy-making, and legislation implementation are essential. FEMA, a federal agency, receives its budget from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). This funding allows FEMA to offer financial grants to disaster survivors, such as the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and the Public Assistance Grant Program (PA), based on their needs and eligibility (Congressional Budget Office, 2022).
Adequate funding ensures FEMA can deliver its services effectively, as disaster preparedness requires thorough planning and sufficient staffing. FEMA’s policies, such as the State Mitigation Planning Policy, Tribal Mitigation Planning Policy, and Local Mitigation Planning Policy, guide hazard mitigation planning tailored to specific geographical areas. These policies facilitate disaster mitigation services through hazard and risk assessments, mitigation strategies development, and implementation (FEMA, 2020).
The Code of Federal Regulations (44 CFR Part 201) outlines the federal rules and regulations for hazard mitigation planning, which FEMA follows when preparing and planning for state, local, tribal, and regional governments. These regulations, authorized under the Stafford Act, the Homeland Security Act, and the National Flood Insurance Act, ensure that FEMA’s disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts provide immediate and customized support to those in need (FEMA, 2020). The combination of CBO funding, policy development, and legislation aims to improve the security, safety, and quality of life for those impacted by catastrophes and the communities they live in.
Impact of FEMA on Community Health and Safety
FEMA’s primary goal is to restore safety and quality of life for disaster-affected individuals, which requires collaboration with healthcare systems and professionals. FEMA has sought consent from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to access the Health and Social Services Recovery Support Function (HSSRSF), which aims to restore public health and social services. Through this collaboration, FEMA has assisted in health and safety recovery efforts, such as aiding those affected by Hurricane Irma. Together, FEMA and HSSRSF address public health, food safety, regulated pharmaceuticals, long-term responder health issues, and healthcare services, setting and achieving goals like assessing health needs, restoring healthcare capacity, and improving the resilience and sustainability of healthcare systems (FEMA, 2021).
Nurses play a crucial role in FEMA’s disaster response efforts by providing essential healthcare services. They may offer first aid, perform CPR, and stabilize the mental health of disaster survivors. Given the behavioral changes and mental health challenges faced by disaster victims, particularly children and adults, nurses can establish rehabilitation camps to support mental and emotional recovery, significantly contributing to the overall restoration of the affected community.
Conclusion
Community resources play a vital role in enhancing the welfare, security, safety, and quality of life within communities. The FEMA is a key resource that aids disaster recovery and addresses health needs. However, social, cultural, economic, and physical barriers can impede FEMA’s effectiveness. Funding decisions by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), hazard mitigation planning policies, and CFR regulations guide FEMA’s operations, ensuring a structured approach. FEMA’s collaboration with the Health and Social Services Recovery Support Function (HSSRSF) helps meet the health and safety needs of disaster-affected individuals. Additionally, nurses contribute significantly to FEMA by providing essential health services to those impacted by disasters.