Operational Teams' Preparation in Environmental Health Rapid Response: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in Response to the Earthquake Scenario (Designing an Exercise)

Natural disasters are usually a series of unpredictable incidents, which do not originate from humans. With regard to the occurrence of unexpected factors such as earthquakes, floods, and fires, individual and social preparations must be increased in the crisis management. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the preparation of operational teams to provide an effective response to earthquakes. The statistical population included the experts of environmental health and disaster risk reduction management in the healthcare centers of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. The participants were categorized into 20 operational teams. The necessary equipment of the participating teams was evaluated by checklists. The results showed that 76.2 percent of the teams had the required equipment to control the drinking water and dispose the wastewater. Furthermore, 58 percent had the required equipment for disasters' conditions and 78.1 percent had the equipment to spray and disinfect in the emergency situations. In addition, about 90 percent of the vehicles used in training were appropriate for emergencies, 95 percent of teams observed the standards to setup tents, deployed the equipment, and had the needed proficiency skills. Moreover, 81.3 percent of the operational team authorities had sufficient skills to work with technical equipment. The presence of teams in the response phase in the East Azerbaijan earthquake in 2011 and the acquisition of field experiences led to their technical coherence, made them familiar with facilities, and equipped the operational teams. We suggest the authorities to conduct executive training according to the designed twice a year based on the response plan of the deputy of health department two times a year.