DISASTER EXERCISE ARTICLE REVIEW 2

Disaster Exercise Article Review

In the article ‘Impact of Multidisciplinary Disaster Response Exercise’, Cook et al. (2011)
begin in the introduction by stressing the importance of having health and public service first
responders get an all-hazard response training that is collaborative. It is in appreciation of this
importance that the University of Kansas organized training of first responders from multiple
disciplines. The objective of the training was to have every 190 Kansas residents have at least
one well trained first responder. A year and a half before the training, organizers developed three
scenarios that were to be executed in multiple geographical locations. In order for the trainees to
familiarize themselves with the geography of the south central state region, tracks were used that
matched the characteristics of the region. By the end of the training the organizers had achieved
their objective. Cook et al. (2011) sought to determine the effects of such training on first
responders especially in regards to their self-efficacy but using simulations instead of real
physical exercises. To determine changes in the self-efficacy of the trainees, the study used
surveys.

In the body of the article Cook et al. (2011) note that as many as a third of the
participants in the training were going through such training for the first time. Participation in the
training high. Cook et al. (2011) speculated that the higher participation rate could have been due
to the influence of recent disasters, notably the tonardo that had hit Greensburg in 2007 and the
2001 September 11 terror attacks in the USA. According to Cook et al. (2011), the study was
important because multiple studies had demonstrated that first responders gained important
knowledge about public safety and human health through participation in disaster exercises.
Apart from gaining such valuable knowledge, the trainees also recorded high rates of

DISASTER EXERCISE ARTICLE REVIEW 3
satisfaction. As expected, trainees recorded remarkable increase in their confidence through the
simulated exercises that they went through (Cook et al., 2011). This increase in confidence of
trainees shows that indeed such exercises are useful for self-efficacy of first responders.

Based on these results Cook et al. (2011) arrived at three conclusions. The first one was
that exercises such as the one that was carried out in Kansas are useful even though they require
a lot of resources. Secondly, that more studies need to be undertaken focusing on disaster
response training that is multidisciplinary. Lastly, Cook et al. (2011) contend that the study had
proven that disaster response training increased the self-confidence and self-efficacy of the
trainees. Even though the study had used simulations, the self-confidence gained by the trainees
can help them perform better when handling real-life disasters.

In conclusion, the results and conclusions of the article support the view that there are
significant limitations to the efficacy of individual disaster response training systems. Having a
multidisciplinary approach equips first responders with greater knowledge and more self
confidence in their capabilities to manage both man-made and natural disasters. Additionally,
recent disasters have been relatively complex. One disaster may combine aspects of terrorist
attacks, infection outbreaks, and environmental damage. Effective response to such disasters
cannot happen if the responders are not trained to handle disasters involving multiple angles.
Thus, it is important for first responders to have multidisciplinary training in order to effectively
manage such disasters. Even though approach is relatively expensive, its importance means that
investment in it is worthwhile.

DISASTER EXERCISE ARTICLE REVIEW 4

References

Cook, D. J., Nazir, N., Skalacki, M., Carole Dale Grube, M. A., & Choi, W. S. (2011). Impact of
a multidisciplinary disaster response exercise. Journal of Emergency Management, 9(4),
35-43.