Natural Disaster Planning, Preparedness and Response

Description

Introduction

Given the complex nature of disaster preparedness and response efforts, and the multiple players and stakeholders involved, understanding an epidemiologist’s unique role and responsibilities is critical.

Our Natural Disaster Planning, Preparedness and Response capacity building course has four modules. The course also has a final comprehensive activity where learners can apply the knowledge and skills learned in the course

Course Content

The modules should be completed consecutively in the following order:

• Module One – General Disasters Overview
• Module two – Epidemiologic Response to Disasters
• Module Three – Disaster Response Rapid Needs Assessment
• Module four – Overview of Disaster-related Morbidity and Mortality Surveillance

After completing participants will be able to do the following:

• Describe how a disaster affects the community, and especially a disaster’s potential public health effects
• Explain the epidemiologist’s role during each phase of the disaster cycle
• Understand the unique challenges of responding to a disaster as an epidemiologist
• Explain the steps for planning an RNA
• Identify an appropriate sampling method
• Design a questionnaire instrument
• Identify steps for implementing an RNA during a disaster response
• Describe the purpose and importance of disaster surveillance
• Explain the differences in surveillance methods
• Explain the steps for setting up a surveillance system during a disaster
• Describe the challenges in establishing a surveillance system during a disaster
• Explain how to conduct morbidity and mortality surveillance in a disaster setting