Capella FPX 4055 Assessment 3

Disaster Recovery Plan

Communities like Valley City often struggle to recover from disasters due to deeply rooted social inequalities, communication breakdowns, and the complex needs of a growing elderly and diverse population. A comprehensive and successful recovery strategy requires the coordination of local governmental action with health policy and evidence-informed frameworks that emphasize communication and collaborative engagement. The Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) model will guide this disaster recovery assessment. Recent occurrences, such as the hazardous oil train derailment and a heightened tornado risk, reinforce the urgency of coordinated interventions tailored to Valley City’s demographic and infrastructural challenges (Capella University, n.d.). Applying the CERC model helps in addressing disparities, promoting equitable access, and enhancing community preparedness and resilience.

Determinants of Health and Barriers in Valley City

Demographics and health-related statistics in Valley City indicate substantial vulnerabilities during disasters. With a population of 8,295 and a median age of 43.6, the city has a sizable elderly population—22% of residents are over 65, and more than 200 of them face chronic medical concerns. These individuals may require mobility assistance, uninterrupted medication access, and emergency medical attention (Capella University, n.d.). Additionally, 147 residents live with disabilities affecting communication or hearing, including those who use sign language or lip-reading. During power outages or emergencies, this group often lacks access to critical alerts and updates.

Valley City’s ethnic composition is also evolving, with a growing Latino community (3%), including undocumented individuals with limited English proficiency. This creates further communication barriers during crises. Language gaps and fear of authorities prevent some from seeking aid, exacerbating health disparities. Financial constraints worsen the situation. Police and fire department layoffs have reduced emergency response capacity, while Valley City Regional Hospital—nearly full with 97 of its 105 beds occupied—faces outdated equipment and potential staffing cuts. These interconnected factors highlight the importance of proactive and inclusive disaster preparation.

Interrelationships Among Determinants and Barriers

Overlapping health, social, and economic challenges create a fragile recovery environment in Valley City. Vulnerable populations, including over 200 elderly with chronic illnesses and nearly 150 individuals with mobility or communication impairments, are often unable to access shelters and continuous care due to infrastructure limitations (Walter et al., 2021). Cultural factors also compound barriers, especially for undocumented residents who may avoid interacting with emergency services for fear of deportation. As a result, essential warnings and services go unheeded.

Furthermore, the city’s financial instability hinders public health efforts. Staff reductions in essential services compromise emergency response and shelter availability, while homeless populations are left without adequate resources. The hospital’s limited capacity and outdated emergency equipment mean even a moderate crisis could overwhelm the system. These overlapping factors reinforce one another—cultural marginalization increases vulnerability, and financial instability exacerbates disparities. Addressing these systemic challenges through inclusive planning is vital for equitable disaster recovery (Mucha et al., 2024).

Promoting Health Equity Through a Culturally Sensitive Disaster Recovery Plan

To reduce disparities and foster inclusive recovery, Valley City’s plan must prioritize equity, cultural understanding, and responsive healthcare access. Given that over 22% of residents are older adults with complex conditions, the integration of mobile health services, priority evacuation protocols, and collaboration with long-term care providers is essential (Walter et al., 2021). The CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) identifies such populations as at heightened risk during disasters, emphasizing the need for focused interventions (CDC, 2024a).

Valley City’s increasing diversity and economic strain require culturally competent messaging and multi-language outreach, especially to undocumented residents who may avoid emergency participation due to fear. A recovery framework centered on social justice and staffed by culturally aware providers ensures equitable support. Addressing language, age, disability, and income-based disparities directly aligns with the goal of achieving health equity across Valley City’s demographic spectrum (Census.gov, 2023).

Role of Health and Governmental Policy: A CERC Framework Approach

Government and healthcare policy play a foundational role in disaster preparedness and recovery. The CERC model emphasizes credible, timely, and empathetic communication—particularly important in Valley City, where communication challenges abound. Laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandate that evacuation routes, notifications, and shelters accommodate individuals with disabilities. However, during the oil train derailment, the lack of accessible communication revealed noncompliance with these regulations (Iezzoni et al., 2022).

The Stafford Act provides for federal support following a declared disaster, offering funding for infrastructure repairs and healthcare system enhancements. For Valley City, such provisions could bolster hospital resources and ambulance services. Similarly, the Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) promotes pre-disaster mitigation, allowing for upgrades to emergency systems, including clean water access—an issue highlighted by the recent water contamination crisis (FEMA, 2021; Borges et al., 2024). Together, these policies support equitable, data-informed recovery strategies rooted in community trust.

Strategies to Overcome Communication Barriers and Interprofessional Collaboration

To enhance disaster communication and coordination, Valley City should adopt strategies informed by the CERC model. Multilingual alerts, visual aids, and accessible mobile applications ensure messages reach all populations—including those with limited English, hearing impairments, or low literacy (CDC, 2024b). These tools help ensure that emergency guidance is followed and that public trust in the response system is maintained.

Developing a unified incident command system (ICS) across agencies like fire, police, and healthcare enhances interprofessional collaboration (Hanlin & Schulz, 2021). Joint simulation drills and digital tools like WebEOC support real-time communication and coordinated action. This approach reduces role confusion and duplication of efforts, streamlining emergency response (Gundran et al., 2022). Outreach by culturally trained health navigators and liaisons further ensures inclusive support for vulnerable groups, preventing delays in care and reducing health inequities.

Conclusion

Valley City’s disaster recovery plan must address its aging infrastructure, limited resources, and vulnerable populations through inclusive and collaborative strategies. Using the CERC framework and aligning with policies like the ADA and DRRA, the city can improve communication, promote equity, and strengthen emergency response capacity. Effective planning focused on cultural competence and interprofessional coordination will enable Valley City to recover more efficiently and equitably during future crises.

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 FPX 4055 Assessment 3

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

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

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

Census.gov. (2023). QuickFacts: Valley City, North Dakota. Census.gov. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/valleycitycitynorthdakota/PST045223

Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2021, November 18). Stafford act. Www.fema.gov. https://www.fema.gov/disaster/stafford-act

FEMA. (2021, July 6). Disaster recovery reform act of 2018 | FEMA.gov. Www.fema.gov. https://www.fema.gov/disaster/disaster-recovery-reform-act-2018

Gundran, C. P. D., Lam, H. Y., Tuazon, A. C. A., Cleofas, J. V., Garcia, F. B., Puli, T. E. M., & Magdales, M. S. I. (2022). Enhancing mass casualty disaster management competencies through an integrated disaster simulation training program. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2022.103124

Capella FPX 4055 Assessment 3

Hanlin, E. R., & Schulz, K. (2021). Incident command system and national incident management system. Emergency Medical Services, 263–272. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119756279.ch95

Iezzoni, L. I., Rao, S. R., Ressalam, J., Jankovic, D., Agaronnik, N. D., Lagu, T., Pendo, E., & Campbell, E. G. (2022). US physicians’ knowledge about the Americans with disabilities act and accommodation of patients with disability. Health Affairs, 41(1), 96–104. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2021.01136

Mucha, J., Tolksdorf, C., Jeangros, C., Refle, J.-E., & Jackson, Y. (2024). Social determinants of the healthcare needs of undocumented migrants living with non-communicable diseases: A scoping review. British Medical Journal Public Health, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjph-2023-000810

Walter, L. A., Schoenfeld, E. M., Smith, C. H., Shufflebarger, E., Khoury, C., Baldwin, K., Hess, J., Heimann, M., Crosby, C., Sontheimer, S. Y., Gragg, S., Hand, D., McIlwain, J., Greene, C., Skains, R. M., & Hess, E. P. (2021). Emergency department–based interventions affecting social determinants of health in the United States: A scoping review. Academic Emergency Medicine, 28(6), 666–674. https://doi.org/10.1111/acem.14201