Systemic Crisis Essay

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A systemic crisis is a crisis in which the breadth of impact reaches many individuals within the system; for example, schools, businesses, entire communities, regions, or it may be worldwide. The individuals involved in a systemic crisis can become overwhelmed with the enormity of the situation and need physical and/or psychological assistance to regain control. Systemic crisis interventions require a combination of strategies working cooperatively together across multiple agencies to effectively address all potential needs of the victims. However, not all systemic crises are the same and require interventions that are specific to the systemic crisis category. The following paragraphs will give a brief description of a natural disaster …show more content…

For the purpose of this paper, we will discuss a weather event that few think of regarding natural disasters; winter storms. Winter storms are different from a snowy day in that a winter storm can include heavy snow, damage-causing ice, high winds, dangerously low temperatures, low visibility, or any combination thereof (America’s PrepareAthon, 2015) and makes travel extremely hazardous. A winter storm can affect an entire region and victims may experience loss of utility services, limited mobility, among various personal crises (illnesses, accidents, or death). For example, between November 17 and November 20, 2014 Buffalo, New York was buried under 7 feet of snow causing thirteen fatalities, hundreds of roof collapses/structural failures, thousands of stranded motorists, downed trees, and power outages in addition to food and gas shortages (National Weather Service, n.d.). In the most severe winter storms, snow plows, and emergency services personnel often have a difficult time keeping up with the needs of the region; therefore, it may be hours, days or even weeks until conditions are safe and services are …show more content…

For the purpose of this paper we will discuss the Zika Virus; a worldwide public health crisis. The Zika Virus is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito and the symptoms experienced are usually mild if any at all. Unfortunately, the Zika Virus can also be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her fetus potentially causing microcephaly; a birth defect in which an infant is born with an abnormally small head size which can in turn cause other developmental problems depending on the severity (CDC, 2016). Concern about the Zika Virus is not new, nor is caution when traveling to an area of the world where a Zika outbreak has recently occurred; however, the prevalence of the Zika Virus is spreading. Prior to 2015 known outbreaks were contained to certain areas in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands, in mid-2015 the first confirmed case of Zika virus infections were announced in Brazil and has since spread throughout the Americas (CDC,

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