Last decades increase in both disasters' frequency and severity have been recorded globally. Discrepancy between the available and required medical means and capabilities in the area of damage leads to increase of the workload of the hospitals in vicinity. The aim of this study is to analyze hospital staff readiness in case of disaster. In order to achieve the set goal 5-question dichotomous survey was performed between 54 hospital professionals. The questions of our survey are focused on knowledge about hospital Disaster medical support plan and the related medical staff obligations. Results are analyzed and presented by the means of the descriptive, comparative and graphic methods. Over 40% of the participants self-estimate their knowledge as insufficient about all the surveyed topics. There are only 2 questions, where over 50% of hospital staff are feeling confident in their knowledge. On the other hand, the comparative analysis reveals statistically significant difference between the declared awareness of hospital disaster medical support plan and related obligations, and lack of knowledge about self-protection, medical information flow and allocated resources for disaster management. The results of the performed analyses highlight the need of intensification of hospital staff medical information exchange on issues related to Disaster medical support plan, disaster medical support activities and resources management.

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Introduction: Disaster medicine training is in constant development. The effort to improve education could be facilitated by the students. They could actively participate in the process by providing useful feedback as well as preferences. Purpose: The aim of this study was to survey and analyze the students’ preferences for disaster medicine education. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among students of the Medical University of Plovdiv.166 students were surveyed ontheir attitude towards disaster medicine as well as preferences for the training course. Results: Disaster medicine training was considered a necessary part of the education. The most approved form of education was practical training, followed by elective course. The most desired topics are those regarding direct casualty management like first aid, first medical aid, triage and evacuation. Conclusions: To better respond to the expectations and educational needs of the students, modification of the training course could be considered.

Nowadays the risk level for Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) events raises globally. The industrialization is leading to establishing of thousands plants, where toxic industrial materials are used into the processes or are end products. Radioactive materials are widely used into different industries, while biological and geno-modified products are found all over world. The increased use requires proper and diligent transportation and storage. If any of these processes is jeopardized a CBRN event could occur. Another grim scenario, unfortunately, present into modern world war conflicts is the use of Weapons of Mass Destruction – Iran-Iraq War, Gulf War, War in Yugoslavia, Syria etc. The aim of this study is to analyse the hospital staff awareness regarding the need of focused medical intelligence in case of CBRN event. Material and methods: By the means of descriptive and comparative methods the records from diverse CBRN events’ medical support and hospitals involvement into the process are analysed in order to highlight the significance of the promptly, adequate and timely performed medical intelligence for assuring the medical support success. Dichotomous survey among 54 medical professionals was performed in order to discover their awareness regarding medical intelligence performance in case of CBRN event. Results and discussion: Great majority of the inquired hospital staff completely ignores the medical intelligence as first step in case of CBRN event that endangers both medical staff and casualties. Conclusion: Medical Intelligence has to be taught in greatest details during medical managers’ education.

Introduction: Disaster medicine is a novel but rapidly evolving medical specialty. It aims for evidence based practices as they are essential for contemporary medicine. Every calamity provides input for development. Researchers in the field study these events for the purpose of amending theory and practice to reflect new challenges. The better the understanding of the shortfalls reported is, the greater will the worth for disaster medical response to the upcoming events be. Purpose: The objective of the study is to demonstrate the connection between disasters and commencement and evolution in disaster medicine education and to highlight the significance of lessons learned for practice improvement. Materials and methods: By means of the descriptive method, lessons learned from disaster medical support to some of the most significant catastrophic events in recent years are presented. Comparative and deductive analyses are performed in order to assess the influence of disasters on the evolution of disaster medical support education and training. Results: Analysis of the most consequential disasters proves that the affected countries have implemented disaster medical support planning, organization, and management changes. These changes in policy and practice lead to amendments and advances in disaster medical tuition. Conclusion: As a conclusion, disaster medicine education reliance on the best practices approved throughout the disaster relief operations is noted. Every gained experience and lesson learned have to be implemented into the lectures and seminars, thus transforming real life achievements into knowledge and wisdom.