within the ship, and their relative ability to enter  and  don  full-protective  clothing  while continuing to perform assigned duties must also be   considered. A great number of heat casualties is acceptable since  heat  casualties  are  more  likely  to  recover  and ordinarily do not require the intensive medical care necessary in treating chemical casualties. Personnel fully trained in the use of protective clothing  and  accustomed  to  its  use  will  suffer fewer and less severe heat casualties. DISASTER  CONTROL  ASHORE “Disaster  preparedness”  means  implementing actions   to   promote   survival   of   personnel, preservation of resources, and restoration of mission-essential  operations  following  any  type of  disaster.  All  naval  activities  must  plan  for  self- recovery  and  provide  an  effective  system  of mutual  assistance  when  required.  In  planning  for disaster  response,  units  should  first  consider  those requirements  necessary  for  their  own  survival. Each unit will have a civil disaster bill based on OPNAVINST  3120.32B. As a senior petty officer, you maybe assigned as  a  member  of,  or  to  lead,  a  civil  disaster  detail. When providing civil disaster relief, you may expect  to  deal  with  demoralized,  hysterical,  or apathetic   survivors.   They may be incapable, temporarily at least, of intelligent action in their own  behalf.  Mass  destruction  of  homes  and  other buildings,  widespread  fires,  and  complete  absence of all forms of public utilities should be antici- pated.  Disaster  relief  operations  are  normally conducted in five phases (I-V). Phase  I  (Planning) Immediately  following  the  order  to  provide disaster relief to an area, the planning phase (I) begins  and  extends  until  the  detail  arrives  at  the disaster  area.  During  this  period,  determine  the need  for  every  aid.  Assemble  all  available  maps and/or charts of the area, and make suitable reproductions  to  ensure  adequate  maps  for  rescue operations.  The  geographic  reference  (GEOREF) grid  system  should  be  used. The  operations  department  prepares  portable communications  equipment  and  establishes  a communications  plan.  It  also  establishes  disaster assistance  teams.  These  teams  should  be  self- sustaining and have adequate supplies of food and  water.  Each  team  should  also  have  crowbars, picks, fire axes, shovels, two blankets, and a stretcher.  If  fires  are  anticipated,  fire-fighting teams  should  break  out  available  fire-fighting gear.  The  supply  department  provides  food and supplies and prepares to establish field kitchens  and  serve  meals  to  survivors.  The medical  department  should  be  prepared  to set  up  a  field  hospital  and  have  medical teams organized,    equipped,   and   ready   to render  assistance  as  necessary. Phase II (Investigation of Extent of Disaster) Phase II is the investigation of the extent of  the  disaster.  Following  a  large-scale  disaster, many  confusing  and  inaccurate  reports  are likely  to  be  received  from  survivors.  A  survey team  is  dispatched  to  the  disaster  area.  It should  make  contact  with  local  authorities and  determine  the  extent  of  immediate  assistance needed  and  relay  this  information  to  the  senior officer   present.   If available, helicopters can be  used  to  survey  outlying  areas  to  determine the  extent  of  the  disaster. Phase  III  (Initial  Disaster  Relief) Phase III is the initial disaster relief phase. The general objectives of this phase are to · rescue  persons  requiring  immediate attention, · fight  and  extinguish  fires, · render  medical  aid,  and · aid in any way within the capabilities of personnel  and  materials  to  ease  the situation. A command center is set up in the disaster area to direct and establish liaison with other rescue personnel  to  avoid  duplication  of  effort.  There will  be  no  armed  personnel  in  the  disaster  area unless  specifically  authorized  by  the  commanding officer. 7-32