Next Generation Disaster Management Experts: Field Experience with a Global Perspective

Background: In the 2000-2013 timeframe, 5,856 natural disasters occurred worldwide (Avg. 450 disasters/year) causing over $1.6 trillion dollars in economic damage. However, the amount of trained personnel to work in global disaster management is scarce due to a lack of formal training programs with a transnational perspective. Belize, a country with limited resources, is impacted by various natural disasters, making it a perfect international site for training university students in disaster management and developing strategic partnerships abroad.

Methods: In partnership with Belizean health and disaster management authorities, training programs for USF undergraduate and graduate students were developed. These programs included didactic classroom training followed by group field experience opportunities in Belize for hands-on training and to build cultural competence for working with diverse populations. Diverse objectives, teaching modalities and assessments were employed.

Results: The global disaster management program focused on three areas: public health needs assessments, emergency preparedness planning, and on-site problem solving. Field specialists taught problem-solving strategies in the classroom and students implemented these practices within the Belize field school. Students met with local experts, designed surveys instrument, administered surveys, used epidemiological tools for data analysis, and participated in hurricane tabletop exercises.

Conclusions:  Classroom involvement, online-based classes and international settings helped students to understand the significance and complexity of disaster situations.  Integrating local and international stakeholders in the development process facilitates the implementation of location-based experiences correlated with disaster preparedness in diverse geographic locations to improve the health and well being of communities.