Leader: A/Prof Frank Archer

Offered

Peninsula First semester 2008 (On-campus block of classes)
Peninsula Second semester 2008 (On-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

This is a core unit in the Graduate Certificate of Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Medicine. The unit begins by outlining the classification and scope of major events that actually, or potentially, threaten the health status of a community. Through the principles of risk assessment and vulnerability reduction the unit will apply these principles to a sample of recent major events in Australia, Oceania and/or Asia to develop the principles of emergency preparedness and capacity building. A major consideration will be exploring effective communication with the community in times of emergency preparedness or major events.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Outline the concepts required for Risk-based Planning and Vulnerability Reduction in Disasters.
2. Discss the application of risk assessment and vulnerability reduction in potential hazards in their local environments, Australia, Oceania and Asian major events.
3. Identify the range of issues in establishing effective community communication in times of Emergency Preparedness of Major Events.

Assessment

Pre-block reading task (1,000 words) (10%), 4 x worksheets during block (500 words each) (20%), 2 X assignments (2,000 words each) (70%).

Contact hours

5 day, full-time block, comprising lectures, tutorials, case-based discussion, interactive learning in small groups and WebCT-based support.