Capella FPX 4055 Assessment 3
Student Name
Capella University
NURS-FPX4055 Optimizing Population Health through Community Practice
Prof. Name
Date
Disaster Recovery Plan
Valley City faces multifaceted challenges in disaster recovery, primarily stemming from entrenched socioeconomic disparities, limited communication access, and an aging, increasingly diverse population. The recovery process relies on cohesive action across local governance, health policies, and the adoption of research-supported strategies. This coordination becomes crucial in the wake of disasters such as the hazardous oil train incident and intensifying tornado threats. Utilizing the Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) framework provides a structured lens to assess local vulnerabilities, improve equitable service access, and mitigate health disparities during emergencies (Capella University, n.d.).
Determinants of Health and Barriers in Valley City
Multiple demographic and socioeconomic factors significantly affect Valley City’s emergency preparedness. With a population of 8,295 and a median age of 43.6 years, approximately 22% of residents are older adults, including more than 200 individuals with chronic health conditions requiring ongoing support even during crises (Capella University, n.d.). Additionally, 147 residents experience speech or hearing disabilities, placing them at higher risk during power or communication outages that hinder access to critical emergency updates.
Demographic trends reveal a growing Latino community, now 3% of the population, alongside an unquantified population of undocumented immigrants with limited English proficiency. These groups face barriers to communication and often avoid seeking help due to immigration-related concerns (Capella University, n.d.). Financial instability further complicates matters, with reductions in emergency service personnel and the regional hospital operating near full capacity, compromising its ability to respond effectively during disasters. These intersecting challenges require comprehensive and inclusive emergency planning.
Interrelationships Among Determinants and Barriers
Intersecting demographic, cultural, and economic barriers severely hinder Valley City’s capacity for disaster recovery. Populations with complex medical conditions and communication disabilities face limited access to emergency response resources. Sheltering systems are frequently inaccessible, reinforcing disparities in recovery services (Walter et al., 2021). Additionally, undocumented individuals often refrain from engaging with public systems due to fear of deportation, missing vital updates and resources (Mucha et al., 2024).
Budget constraints exacerbate these challenges. Reductions in emergency personnel and overextended shelters diminish the effectiveness of response efforts. The city’s primary healthcare facility operates close to its maximum occupancy and may face further setbacks due to outdated infrastructure and potential funding cuts. These limitations further isolate culturally marginalized groups, compounding individual vulnerability and weakening community-wide resilience. Addressing these overlapping challenges demands a community-centered, inclusive planning approach.
Promoting Health Equity Through a Culturally Sensitive Disaster Recovery Plan
To promote equitable recovery outcomes, Valley City must implement a culturally sensitive strategy tailored to its vulnerable populations. With 22% of residents aged 65 or older—many with significant healthcare needs—initiatives such as mobile medical units, prioritized evacuations, and collaboration with long-term care institutions are essential (Walter et al., 2021). According to the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), communities with high concentrations of elderly, disabled, and low-income individuals face increased disaster-related risks (CDC, 2024a).
Valley City aligns with this high-vulnerability profile, with 147 residents experiencing disabilities. A culturally competent recovery plan should offer multilingual notifications and outreach efforts aimed at Latino and undocumented groups. Lower-income and undereducated individuals also tend to endure longer-term impacts after disasters (Census.gov, 2023). Deploying health professionals trained in cultural competency can reduce access barriers and support equitable recovery across all demographic lines.
Role of Health and Governmental Policy: A CERC Framework Approach
Public health and government policies significantly influence disaster recovery efforts in Valley City. Through the lens of the CERC framework, policies such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensure essential accessibility standards, particularly for the 147 residents with disabilities and over 200 seniors with complex health needs (ADA, 2021). The oil train derailment incident exposed weaknesses in implementing these protections, highlighting areas for policy reinforcement (Iezzoni et al., 2022).
Federal acts like the Stafford Act trigger necessary funding and resources post-disaster, supporting upgrades to hospital systems and infrastructure. Additionally, the Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) of 2018 emphasizes proactive mitigation strategies (FEMA, 2021). These policies can support Valley City’s investment in backup utilities, emergency mapping, and health risk monitoring systems (Borges et al., 2024). When aligned with CERC principles, these policies help ensure transparency, equity, and effective disaster communication.
Strategies to Overcome Communication Barriers and Interprofessional Collaboration
Closing communication gaps and fostering collaborative emergency responses are critical for Valley City’s disaster readiness. The CERC framework advocates for inclusive strategies such as multilingual alerts, visual messaging systems, and mobile communication platforms to reach populations with language barriers, disabilities, or limited internet access (CDC, 2024b). These methods build trust and improve response compliance among marginalized communities.
Deploying an integrated Incident Command System (ICS) across healthcare, law enforcement, and emergency services enhances coordination (Hanlin & Schulz, 2021). Use of tools like WebEOC or Microsoft Teams dashboards improves real-time updates and clarifies emergency roles. Training simulations have demonstrated effectiveness in refining team response and coordination (Gundran et al., 2022).
Engaging culturally competent health navigators and outreach workers can bridge communication and care gaps for unhoused and medically vulnerable residents. These interventions promote timely, equitable care and reduce the risk of marginalization during disasters, thereby boosting the city’s overall resilience (Gundran et al., 2022).
Conclusion
Valley City’s disaster recovery challenges are rooted in socioeconomic, demographic, and structural vulnerabilities. The CERC model offers a strategic pathway to foster effective communication, inclusivity, and interagency collaboration. Policies like the ADA, Stafford Act, and DRRA must be integrated into local emergency planning. Through culturally responsive planning and interprofessional coordination, the city can significantly enhance its preparedness and protect its most at-risk residents during future emergencies.
Summary Table: Determinants, Barriers, and Solutions
| Category | Key Challenge | Proposed Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Elderly Population | 22% over age 65 with chronic medical needs | Mobile health services, prioritized evacuation, long-term care partnerships |
| Disability Access | 147 residents with hearing/speech impairments | ADA-compliant messaging, transport assistance, accessible shelters |
| Language Barriers | Rising Latino and undocumented populations | Multilingual alerts, outreach by culturally competent health professionals |
| Financial Constraints | Emergency staff shortages, maxed hospital capacity, outdated tools | Federal funding (Stafford Act, DRRA), facility upgrades, emergency equipment |
| Interagency Coordination | Fragmented response among health and safety agencies | Unified ICS, shared platforms like WebEOC, interprofessional disaster simulations |
| Communication Gaps | Limited information access for vulnerable groups | CERC-based strategies, use of health navigators, alternative communication platforms |
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. University of Washington. 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
CDC. (2024b, November). Crisis & Emergency Risk Communication (CERC). https://www.cdc.gov/cerc/php/about/index.html
Capella FPX 4055 Assessment 3
Census.gov. (2023). QuickFacts: Valley City, North Dakota. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/valleycitycitynorthdakota
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (2021). Disaster Recovery Reform Act Fact Sheet. https://www.fema.gov/disaster-recovery-reform-act-2018
Hanlin, R., & Schulz, R. (2021). Enhancing disaster response through integrated emergency management systems. Journal of Emergency Management, 19(4), 25–31. Iezzoni, L. I., Rao, S. R., Ressalam, J., Bolcic-Jankovic, D., Donnelly, S., Agaronnik, N. D., Lagu, T., & Campbell, E. G. (2022). Physicians’ perceptions of people with disability and their health care. Health Affairs, 41(10), 1379–1387. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2022.00273
Mucha, N., Alvarez, S., & Frey, K. (2024). Barriers to care during emergencies for undocumented communities. Public Health Reports, 139(1), 72–83. Walter, A. L., Sandoval, R. S., & McGinnis, T. (2021). Addressing the needs of older adults in emergency preparedness. Geriatric Nursing, 42(5), 1014–1021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2021.05.006