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Disaster Planning & Preparedness Unit Information

 

     Unit Information

  Disaster Planning & Preparedness

 Week One Unit Information

Rationale

 

Disasters are a human construct, where hazards interact with individuals/households/communities/ organisations, overwhelming community resources and causing widespread disruption and/or loss. Effective preparedness and planning for the impacts of disasters requires extensive knowledge of the role of planning and preparedness in the disaster context. There is a need for people involved in planning and preparedness to understand the processes for identifying community vulnerability and capacity and the associated cultural and ethical dilemmas. On completion of this unit, you should be able to evaluate the efficacy of planning and preparedness processes and practices in terms of addressing community vulnerability and capacity in the context of disasters.

 

This unit is part of a suite of four related units which are available each year. They are:

 

  • Disaster Management is an introduction to the principles and practice of major incident and disaster management and helps develop your knowledge and skills in the management of such It is conducted over the first five weeks of Semester 1 and includes an intensive block of one week in the second week of semester.
  • Disaster Planning and Preparedness examines the detail of planning and preparedness arrangements and their application to real world It will also explore how communities, healthcare organisations, emergency services and critical infrastructure can be prepared effectively respond to sudden increases in demand for services. It is conducted over the remaining eight weeks of Semester 1 and includes a two-day seminar.
  • Disaster Response and Recovery examines the detail of response and recovery arrangements and their application to real world It is conducted over the first eight weeks of Semester 2 and includes a two day seminar.
  • Leadership in Disaster Management provides leadership perspectives of disaster management and explores how to translate principles and practice into It is conducted over the last five weeks of Semester 2 and includes an intensive block of one week in the second last week of the Semester.

 

Aim

 

The aim of this unit is to extend your knowledge of disaster management prevention, mitigation, planning and preparedness and the skills to manage these functions within communities and organisations. This unit will explore in depth planning systems and processes and outline how emergency services and communities can prepare themselves to be able to surge in response to sudden increases in demand for services

 

Learning Outcomes (Objectives)

 

On completion of this unit you should be able to:

  1. Apply the principles of prevention, mitigation and planning including risk management in the context of disasters as they impact on
  2. Integrate authoritative knowledge of local, jurisdictional and national preparedness arrangements to engage with communities in planning, preparing for major
  3. Evaluate community vulnerability and capacity in the context of processes and practices for planning and preparing for disasters
  4. Critically evaluate the legal, ethical and cultural dilemmas relating to the provision of emergency management
  5. Throughout this unit sensitivity to, and understanding of, cultural and gender related issues will be

 

Unit Content

 

This unit will examine several topics including policy and planning for disasters, risk analysis, preparedness in the Emergency Medical System and the Health System, community resilience, special events and pandemics, remote response, rehabilitation and recovery and exercise designs. These topics are organised into four modules of study although these many issues do not neatly fit into separate areas but rather cross over amongst different aspects.

 

  • Module 1: Planning for Disasters – This module examines the challenges of all-hazards emergency planning for individuals, communities, organisations and
  • Module 2: Operational Preparedness – This module examines the role of preparedness and what it means for individuals, communities, responders and regions, diverse
  • Module 3: Community Preparedness – This module examines the vital role that communities play in preparing for disaster and discusses the challenges and complexities of moving toward community-led
  • Module 4: Complex and compound events – This module addresses the special planning and preparedness needs for non-standard incidents and wider consequences from an all-hazards context

Approaches to teaching and learning

 

This unit is available in both external and internal mode, however there is little effective difference in terms of the student’s experience with the material. A study guide, complete with interactive tasks, supports knowledge and analytical skills shared through lectures, interactive tutorials, scenarios and case based exercises. There is a focus on the application of disaster management principles to real situations. You will access extensive reading materials including: case studies and reports, research papers, model plans, and relevant documents for critical appraisal and application to support a scholarly, evidence-based approach to practice. The unit is based on adult learning principles which recognise the variations in students’ experience and knowledge and provide opportunities for students to explore material in accordance with their individual needs.

 

NB: Lectures for this unit will be delivered during a two-day intensive block program. Students are expected to attend this program. Although we will endeavour to audiotape the lecture and provide any relevant lecture notes, this relies upon the technology working properly on the day and can never be assured. Access to the lectures can only be assured by being there.

 

Course materials

 

The material for this course comes in multiple forms including written materials, lectures, interactive discussion and electronic resources. We will provide you with access to an extensive array of materials and you will need to exercise your judgement in regard to what you need to read and how intensely you need to peruse the material. You do not need to read every item exhaustively. In line with the principles of adult learning, you need to be selective in your reading. You should learn to scan items for essential information and to identify items of information that are useful.

 

You will be provided with extensive reading materials including the Unit Information Document, Study Guide and associated readings.

 

  • The Unit Information booklet (this document) provides an outline of the program and all the administrative details associated with the unit, including schedule of study and contact details
  • The Study Guide provides structured points for study by defining or highlighting important concepts that should emerge from your We will provide you with access to chapters of a text currently being prepared for this program. You should enhance this guide by the addition of readings and the activities from lectures and tutorials. The study guide will identify key readings, videos and other forms of case study which will help broaden your understanding of the principles of disaster health management
  • The Readings are intended to be read in conjunction with the Study Guide and Lecture Notes, and will often be the basis for the activities in the
  • Tutorials will be organised for both internal and external These tutorials are intended to be interactive and focussed around the program of learning.

 

You are encouraged to read as widely as you can. All students should scan the internet for relevant sites and additional information. The readings will include case reports, research papers, model plans and government documents.

 

  • Lecture notes in the form of Power Point slides will be developed for each of the These will be made available on Blackboard progressively during the term.
  • Podcasts comprising a recording of each presentation or a summary of the presentation will be provided and will be downloadable form the Blackboard

Reference sources

 

Those wanting other perspectives, or who are seeking special information to meet assessment requirements may find the following references useful sources of additional information.

 

Texts

 

There is a recommended test that may help with this unit.

 

  • Gerard FitzGerald, Michael Tarrant, Peter Aitken and Marie Fredriksen (Editors) Disaster Health Management: A Primer for Students and Practitioners Routledge 2016

You may also find one of the following to be a useful adjunct to the other information presented to you. There may also be a number of texts in the library you may find useful.

 

 

  • Koenig K & Schultz C (Eds.). Koenig and Schultz’s Disaster Medicine; Comprehensive Principles and Practices. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Hogan D & Burnstein 2007. Disaster Medicine. 2nd Ed. Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Ciottone, G, Disaster Medicine, Mosby Elsevier
  • Antosia, R & Cahill, J, Handbook of bioterrorism and Disaster Medicine, Springer NY 2006
  • Emergency Management Australia, Disaster Health Handbook 1. Australian Emergency Management Mt Macedon Victoria. 2011.

 

NB: You do not need to purchase any text and certainly not all texts.

 

 

 

Journals

 

The following journals may be useful sources of additional information for clarity or special enquiry. These journals include those that are specific to disaster management. Additional material will be provided to students throughout the course.

 

 

Please full access to content in these journals may only be available via the QUT Library Emergency health journals:

 

Websites

 

These websites will also be helpful sources of information that will assist you with location additional material over and above that you will be provided with throughout the semester.

 

 

 

Feedback

 

Please be aware QUT is committed to continuous improvement of these programs. Feedback on the unit content, assessment and learning opportunities is welcome and opportunities will be available towards the end of semester. All students are encouraged to provide feedback using the University’s formal feedback mechanisms, the Pulse and Insight surveys. Please complete these as they are used to help guide ongoing development. Additionally, feedback on the content and scope of this unit may be provided directly to the Unit Coordinator via email.

 

Unit Costs

 

There is no designated textbook required for this unit and no other extraordinary costs. All of the material will be available on Blackboard or elsewhere. You are not expected to print out or photocopy this material. Some students from out of Brisbane may need to travel and obtain accommodation to attend the block program. This will be at the student’s expense.

 

Intensive Schedule

 

This unit will be presented through an internal (intensive) study format. Refer to the Unit Program below as a guide to the schedule of lecture – this schedule may change.

 

 

 

 

Unit Program

 

Tutorial program

 

Week Dates Module & Topic Readings Tutorial
4 13th March Introduction and unit overview    
5 20th March Module 1: Planning for Disaster

 

This module examines the challenges of all-hazards emergency planning for individuals, communities,

organisations and regions.

 Module 1

 

Readings in the study guide

 The tutorial will focus on risk management and planning and will extend on the Study Guide material and explore case studies. The tutorial will also examine the activities

in the Study Guide
6 27th March Module 2: Operational Preparedness

 

This module examines the role of preparedness and what it means for individuals, communities, responders and regions, diverse cultures.

 Module 2

 

Readings in the study guide

 This tutorials will focus on operational preparedness and help identify the other matters that need to be included in preparedness.
7 17th April Module 3: Community Preparedness

 

This module examines the vital role that communities play in preparing for disaster and discusses the challenges and complexities of moving

toward community-led

 Module 3

 

Readings in the study guide

 This Tutorial will focus on community preparedness and identify the system, structure and processe4s required to help communities prepare and become resilient.
8 24th April Module 4: Complex and compound events

 

This module addresses the special planning and preparedness needs for non- standard incidents and wider consequences from an all-

hazards context.

 Module 4

 

Readings in the study guide

 This tutorial will explore the particular planning considerations in complex events and also help student address the activities.
9 1st May Unit overview and final assignment preparation   This final tutorial will explore the final assignment and help students identify how they

should address it.

 

 

General assessment information

 

All assessment items are designed to reinforce your learning. Lectures and tutorials will include formative assessment through activities on selected topics. These activities are intended to help reinforce your understanding as you read through the various materials provided to you.

 

You should consider assessment as a further means of learning not simply a measure of success. The process of writing assignments helps you consolidate your thoughts into a fashion which is meaningful and useful to you and therefore helps you understand the concepts or principles. Similarly the preparation for examinations helps focus your thinking.

 

NB: ALL ASSESSMENT ITEMS MUST BE SUBMITTED ON BLACKBOARD.

 

Feedback to students

 

Individual feedback will accompany each assessment item. Feedback will be also provided during in- class learning exercises.

 

Assessment Items

 

Assessment Item One: Workbook

 

Due date: 4th May 2018

 

Throughout each module, workbook exercises will be set which are designed as a review of the module. The workbook should be drafted prior to and during the intensive block program. Responses should be submitted online.

 

The objective of the workbook is to help focus your learning by identifying issues of significance and to provide you with feedback.

 

The workbook is a summative assessment, intended to assist you with progress in your learning. For submitting your workbook exercises, please you use the workbook template provided at blackboard. You should stick to the word limit per question. If you fall outside limits, it is likely you will lose marks for a lack of information at one extreme or for not being clear and concise at the other.

 

Assessment Item Two:

 

 

Due date: 1 st June 2018

 

The purpose of this assignment is to apply your understanding of the materials to a real situation.

 

Imagine you have been appointed as the emergency management officer at a large Aged Care facility in a provincial city in Australia. You have been asked to prepare information for executive managers that would help them develop their disaster management plan.

 

Prepare a report for executive management, and in report:

 

  1. Identify and evaluate the risks such a facility is likely to
  2. Identify the planning context along with other issues that should be taken into consideration during the planning process
  3. Detail the planning process
  4. Identify how the plan should be implemented and

 

The assignment should demonstrate your analytical skills and understanding of the principles and practices of disaster preparedness.

 

The word limit for this assessment must not exceed 3000 words. If you submit an assignment that falls well below, or exceeds this limit, it is likely you will lose marks for a lack of information at one extreme or for not being clear and concise at the other.

 

 

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