Instructions Read the scenario of public health emergency on Page 1-2 and develop a report draw from your critical analysis and applying theory into practice. 1. Use appropriate data and information...

Running Head: BUSHFIRES IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA                    1
BUSHFIRES IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA                            6
BUSHFIRES IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Assessment 3: PUBH6006: Student name, Student ID
Table of Contents
Introduction    3
1. Context of the Public Health Emergency    3
2. The Existing Emergency Response Plan    4
3. Recommendations for Future Emergency Response Plans    5
Conclusion    6
References    7
Introduction
Australia has witnessed bushfires since a very long time. The most recent was the one, which took place on 4 February 2021 and it was detected by a satellite that showed heat on Perth hills at 2 am in Western Australia. A number of homes were burned and almost 25,296 acres of land caught fire with significant damage caused to the forests, firefighters, families and wildlife. The report focuses on the health emergency imposed, the losses incurred along with the impact the fire had on people and government and how can there be a better emergency plan imposed if such an emergency arise again.
1. Context of the Public Health Emergency
Australia declared a public health emergency after witnessing a record high number of property damages and losses during the WA bushfires. The bushfires have threatened many families’ homes and several lives including those of animals that the forests were home to. As reported by Artemis news, at least 9000 hectares of land have been burned in Perth hills bushfires that started on 4 February 2021 along with destruction of 71 homes (Evans, 2021).
The researchers had confirmed multiple warnings to Australian governments regarding threat of bushfires due to climatic changes in Australia with extremely hot weathers accompanied by decrease in rainfall. The bushfires that started in year 2020 had at least 33 firefighters known to be killed and about 3,094 homes were destroyed (Evans, 2021). The Greater Blue Mountains area that has been listed under heritage sites have been affected by 80% due to the bushfires (Evans, 2021).
54% of Gondwana Forest of Australia that comes under world heritage property had been destroyed in 2020 along with 55 park reserves (Evans, 2021). Over 1 billion animals lost their lives due to the bushfires and several species became endangered (Evans, 2021). Due to the emergency arising from climate change there have been major implications on mental health of the residents. There is trauma, sadness, fear as well as horror in the minds of people due to the crisis.
There is 11 times higher threshold for hazardous levels reached and government has implemented measures to control health crisis (Evans, 2021). Temperatures in Perth capital has soared to 41 degrees Celsius, which is extreme and residents have been asked to stay cool. The smoke has been endangering lives of young babies and children putting them at higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, asthma, strokes and lung cancer.
Bushfires have increased the number of hospitalisations of people due to long-lasting effects of the hazardous smoke. According to Newnham, Reifels and Gibbs (2020), air pollutions have increased considerably due to CO2 in atmosphere giving rise to respiratory infections, chronic pulmonary diseases, morbidities, eye problems and psychological disorders.
2. The Existing Emergency Response Plan
The management of bushfires in Western Australia is a shared responsibility between the local, state and national governments. The state government...