Preparing for and Responding to Disasters Webinar Materials

Description: 

The United States and the world regularly experience natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, tornados, fires), as well as human-caused disasters (e.g., mass violence, shootings, spills from industrial chemicals and other materials). These disasters have a significant impact on the lives of those in the affected areas and on the environment; often it takes years to recover. The speakers discussed the phase of a disaster and review the four phases of disaster preparedness. Attendees learned about the complexities of response and recovery and the involvement of both government and nongovernmental entities. Discussion included principles of the recovery continuum, with special emphasis on psychological and emotional recovery. The speakers have all been directly involved in disaster response and discussed what it is like to be “on the ground” in these circumstances. 

Learning Objectives: 

• Identified the four phases of disaster preparedness 
• Described the response-recovery continuum and available disaster resources 
• Examined the psychological and emotional impact of disasters and strategies to address them 

Presenters: 

• Ann Wing; Technical Expert Lead I; JBS International, Inc. 
• Celeste Putnam; MEd, Technical Expert Lead II; JBS International, Inc. 
• Karen Yost; MA, LSW, LPC, ALPS, NCC, MAC, CCDVC, CSOTP, Technical Expert Lead III; JBS International, Inc.

The contents in this TA resource are those of the author(s) alone and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, JBS International, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.