needs that victims cannot alleviate without assistance.

A MASS CASUALTY INCIDENT -- Any event resulting in a number of victims large enough to disrupt the normal course of emergency and health care services.

EMERGENCY SERVICES -- Those services which are specially designed to respond on a daily basis to emergency situations; Police, Fire Services, Ambulance Services, Accident and Emergency Department.

HEALTH CARE SERVICES -- All services which are providing health care to any kind of patient: Hospital, Health Centres/Clinics Ambulance Services.

Successful response to a disaster is dependent upon the preparedness of both individuals and agencies/government and non government. All agencies should have a "Disaster Plan'' which has been circulated and knowledgeable within the establishment/agency. Without an understanding of the requirements and proper planning for disasters, all nurses and other organisations would be lost and confused. Personnel would be constantly reacting to situations and would never find themselves in the proactive posture in which they should be.

A number of factors focused on those questions should be considered by all attempting to understand Disasters: What type of a disaster are we most likely to encounter? What are the requirements that we need in both our home and place of employment/organisation? What are our capabilities and responsibilities of ourself and our institute/agency? Any determination of requirement is based on the disaster most likely to be encountered by an institute must first of all take into account any unique weather patterns (floods, tornadoes, hurricanes) that may affect the geographical area, do not overlook the presence of airports, harbours were accidents may generate large numbers of casualties. Requirements for disaster planning are comprehensive.

Further in Disaster planning every household should have its individual plan -- eg: the parents are at work, where will the children go? What about the "pets'', do you have your household emergency items available? Being fore-warned and prepared is the best way to deal with any disaster.

Jacqueline Lightbourne Chief Nursing Officer