Master Plan Nashua Fire Rescue, NH
Infectious Diseases/Pandemic
A communicable disease is an illness caused by an infectious agent or its toxic products that develops when
the agent or its product is transmitted from an infected person, animal(s), or arthropod to a susceptible host.
To develop a successful communicable disease control program, pertinent information should be provided
to families and communities as well as recommendations for implementation measures that control the
spread of the disease. Resource management will be difficult to accomplish, especially ifthe disease outbreak
is prolonged. New Hampshire has been impacted economically and financially during the 2019 Novel
Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, with conditions having an ongoing impact on a local and state level.
Landslides
FEMA defines landslides as “rocks, earth, or other materials moving down a slope.” A mudflow is a landslide
that is combined with up to 60% water. The various types of landslides can be differentiated by the kinds of
material involved and the mode of movement. The following figure illustrates the most common types of
landslides.
Figure 22. Most Common Types of Landslides
Slides Mass movements, along zones of weakness separating the slide material
from more stable underlying material.
Falls Abrupt movements of rocks or boulders that become detached from steep
slopes or cliffs.
Debris Flows Rapid mass movement of a combination of loose soil, rock, organic matter,
air, and water that flow downslope as a slurry. These are most often caused
by heavy precipitation and intense surface water runoff in steep gullies.
Mudflows Earthflow consisting of material that is wet enough to flow rapidly and
contains at least 50% sand, silt, and clay. Mudflows can travel at speeds of
35 mph or greater.
Creep Imperceptibly slow, steady, downward movement of soil or rock. Coastal bluff
erosion: The collapse of coastal bluffs due to undercutting erosive forces of
wave action.
Landslides often happen after wildfires, because the brush that slows rain runoff has burned away and the
soil can be less porous, making it harder for the land to soak up the rain. Prolonged heavy rain could cause
this soil to fail and trigger a landslide. Their mass and speed make them particularly destructive: landslides
can strip vegetation, block drainages, damage structures, and endanger human life. Heavy rainfall can trigger
landslides for up to two years following a fire.
Lightning
In the United States, an average of 300 people are injured and 80 people are killed each year by lightning.
Although most lightning victims survive, people struck by lightning often report a variety of long-term,
debilitating symptoms.
ESC) Emergency Services 2
Consulting International 3
