PUBH 6011 MIDTERM EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS| ACE
YOUR GRADES.
What is an emergency? - correct answer -a disruption that does
NOT exceed a community's or society's capacity to cope
What is a disaster? - correct answer -a serious disruption of the
functioning of a community or society causing widespread human,
material, economic, or environmental losses that exceed the
ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own
resources
What role does public health play into disaster response? -
correct answer -Public healthcare workers are the front of the line
for disasters. One limitation though is they do not have the best
education on what is demanded of them when these disasters
occur
Explain the prevention stage of natural disasters. - correct answer
-Prevention: stopping the disaster from happening
Examples:
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- airport security screening
- CDC disease surveillance programs
- FBI following up on a suspicious activity
- trained employees: worker error can result in disasters
- climate action: reduces the intensity of future storms
Explain the mitigation stage of natural disasters. - correct answer
-Mitigation: reduce the loss of life or property from a disaster
Examples:
- earthquake or hurricane-proof homes
- don't build in flood-prone areas
- eliminate any standing water
- sensible gun laws: reduce chances of an active shooter
Explain the preparedness stage of natural disasters. - correct
answer -Preparedness: what you can do to prepare for a disaster
- EVERYONE is responsible for disaster preparedness and
everyone should be involved
- reduce the effects from a disaster (determine what to prepare
for)
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Explain the disaster response stage. - correct answer -Disaster
Response: warning time is critical
-immediate response: you, family members, neighbors, then
maybe rescue, recovery ops
- first responder is often a spouse or neighbor
- medical, food, water, shelter, safety
- prioritize poor, elderly, sick/infirm
Explain disaster recovery. - correct answer -Disaster Recovery:
after the disaster has occurred comes the reconstruction phase
- can be months or many years
- damaged homes and utility infrastructure
- many displaced people
- expensive, political arguments of who pays
- sympathy and aid during the disaster is high and remains high
for a few weeks, but fades with time (news anchors and cameras
move on)
Explain the principles of defensible space in fire prone areas. -
correct answer -This is done to prevent the damage that fires can
do to structures and life
- create a zone where you grow low vegetation, make sure they're
green and not dried out