Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) member’s response to a natural or man-made disaster:
As a team -
Following the intent of the National Response Framework and National Incident Management System, ENA supports their response to a disaster scenario by encouraging ENA members to participate and deploy as a requested individual, part of a group or properly educated team (ENA All-Hazards Position Statement, 2008). Several ENA members are responders in Department of Defense (DoD), National Disaster Medical System, Disaster Medical Assistance Teams or other similar teams trained, supported and safely equipped for likely austere conditions.
Individually -
Other important ways for ENA members to respond include financial gifts as funding is always needed for the response organizations. The United States Department of State and Department of Health and Human Services www.HHS.gov , will help coordinate national responses. In addition, members may go to www.USAID.gov (United States of America International Disaster) for additional information on relief efforts. ENA members can find “How You Can Help” at the Center for International Disaster Information at www.CIDI.org , which lists many responding organizations such as the Red Cross and is a resource for considering donations.
Warning -
The FBI warns internet users and others who receive appeals to donate money to apply a critical eye and do their due diligence. Past tragedies and natural disasters have prompted individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purportedly for a charitable cause.