training trainers to prepare volunteers for disasters raquel cohen, md, mph

TRAINING TRAINERS TO PREPARE TRAINING TRAINERS TO PREPARE VOLUNTEERS FOR DISASTERSVOLUNTEERS FOR DISASTERS

RAQUEL COHEN, MD, MPHRAQUEL COHEN, MD, MPH

To prepare volunteersto assist individuals

in the communityin the event of a disaster

Goal for Train-the-Trainer SessionGoal for Train-the-Trainer Session

Discuss and teach the course objectives and content

Discuss the main features of the training approaches used in the course

Recognize the training needs of the volunteers

Describe the use of the training workbook, “Are You Prepared?”

Plan and conduct the preparedness course using the workbook

Course Outcome ObjectivesCourse Outcome ObjectivesAt the end of this course, trainers should be able to:At the end of this course, trainers should be able to:

Issue 1:How do we achieve motivation and action to

prepare for a potential disaster?Response:Communication with the trainer is a process

that requires receiving, understanding, believing and personalizing the contents of the message.

This processes influence motivation.

Preparedness Training IssuesPreparedness Training IssuesSource: Phillips BD, Morrow BH (2005). Social Science Research FindingsSource: Phillips BD, Morrow BH (2005). Social Science Research Findings

Issue 2:Does it make any difference how we teach

individuals to be prepared?Response:The mode of teaching will influence the

transmission and interpretation of the content, which is designed to mitigate the effects of the disaster, save lives, reduce injuries and safeguard property.

The credibility of the trainer is central to motivating behavior.


Issue 3:Do we have to tailor our approach and

content to motivate individuals of different cultures?

Response:In our multi-cultural population it is not

sufficient to simply transmit the warning signals because message content is interpreted within the socio-cultural context of the individual hearing the message.


Issue 4:Do we have to tailor our approach and content

to motivate individuals of different cultures?Response:Variables like language, literacy, household and

family status, and immigration situation have to be considered when interacting with individuals.

Economics, job status, unemployment, health capacity and lack of information regarding how to proceed are barriers to preparedness.


Issue 5:Is it important to differentiate “Phases of

a Disaster” to know what to do?Response:Effective messages containing

“forecast”, “watches” and “warnings” have to be conveyed within the social context and culture of the target populations.


Issue 6:How de we ascertain that individuals will

follow our guidance?Response:Some groups will need confirmation from

trusted individuals before they will act.The social networks are strong resources

for confirmation leading to action.


Issue 7:How do individuals decide to act?Response:Most individuals will move through a

multi-stage decision-making process, which includes comprehension, believing the facts and deciding that acting is for their benefit.


Issue 8:How do we encourage an individual to act?Response:For action to occur the individual must be

convinced that protective behavior is necessary and possible.

The content of the message must be personalized to motivate the desired behavioral response.


Obtain a baseline assessment of volunteer knowledge.

This will organize your teaching. Ascertain the level of knowledge,

experience and expectation of the volunteers who will help the population at the community level.

Applied Issues for Educating VolunteersApplied Issues for Educating VolunteersWho Will Assist IndividualsWho Will Assist Individuals

Ascertain from participants:KnowledgeHow much do they know about issues of

stress, coping and other reactions to potential trauma?

ExperienceHave they experienced a disaster?ExpectationsWhat do they expect to obtain from the

training?

Volunteer NeedsVolunteer Needs

Trainers aim to prepare volunteers to:Instruct the contents of the course

(embodied in the workbook)

Guide volunteers through the course materials and contents.

Training Outcomes (1)Training Outcomes (1)

Use the strategy of anticipatory guidance to emphasize the positive outcomes of being prepared.

Teaching individuals about how they may react to a future event prepares them to overrule the anticipated reaction.


• Motivate volunteers based on the fact that preparedness mitigates stress and prepares citizens to cope with the effects of the disaster

• Encourage volunteers to start putting guidelines into action.

• Support volunteers to engage in problem-solving to examine barriers to implementation and to find solutions.


Trainers can achieve these objectives through:Imparting knowledge according to the needs

of the volunteersUsing and modeling simple language as an

example for volunteer useListing practical and feasible actions – using

common sense and community wisdom

Training StrategiesTraining Strategies

Trainers can achieve these objectives through:Presenting experiential examples Using the teachings in the workbookUsing in question and answer periods

Training StrategiesTraining Strategies

Thank you!

training trainers to prepare volunteers for disasters raquel cohen, md, mph

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