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Samantha Penta, Ph.D.

This course will introduce you to basic concepts of emergency management, planning, and crisis risk communication. You will understand the definitions of and operational challenges associated with disasters and public health emergencies. You will identify important components of risk communication, and you will identify and evaluate the ways social characteristics shape vulnerabilities to crises and health outcomes. In completing this course, you will begin to learn about the nature of different kinds of extreme events and the disruptions they can cause for communities affected by them. You will learn about how to approach the planning process. You will also explore the ways extreme events can be felt differently by different members within our communities. Finally, you will go over important considerations in crafting messages about risks. As you go through the course, you will apply your knowledge of these principles in assignments which ask you to consider how you would approach the crisis risk communication planning process for your organization or community.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Emergency Management
This module explores what constitutes a disaster and public health emergency.
Planning
This module explores emergency management planning processes.
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Vulnerability
This module explores the ways extreme events can be felt differently by different members within our communities.
Crisis Risk Communication
This module explores the important considerations in crafting messages about risks.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Matches with an audience interested in emergency management and crisis risk communication
Teaches definitions of disasters and public health emergencies
Covers important components of risk communication
Identifies ways social characteristics shape vulnerability
Introduces the nature of different kinds of extreme events
Examines how to approach the planning process

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Reviews summary

Emergency preparedness principles

Learners say this course provides core principles regarding emergency preparedness. Real-world examples and frameworks are mentioned by students as being particularly helpful. This course is regarded by many students as being well-structured and easy to follow.
Learners found that the material in this course was practical and provided real-world examples.
"Content is very much useful, content coverage is good"
"The frameworks and principles can be applied right away to your job or day to day communication!"
"Samantha made it quite interesting, gave concrete, real life/disaster examples and shared some pretty interesting additional readings."
The structure of the course is clear and makes it easy for learners to follow along.
"T​his Course is very informative."
"The process which the course was delivered was great and had relevant information and updated guidance and incidents."
"very nice & helpful course"
A few learners expressed disappointment that the course is not accredited.
"This course was very informative and will help me plan for emergencies more accurately , im giving this only 3 stars because it is not accredited "
Some students felt that the course was too focused on the United States.
"In some respects it is to USA oriented."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Disaster, Crisis, and Emergency Preparedness Communication with these activities:
Review key concepts from your previous coursework in public health or disaster management
Refreshing your knowledge will help you build a strong foundation for this course.
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Show steps
  • Review your notes, textbooks, and any other resources from previous courses.
  • Attend review sessions or workshops offered by your institution or professional organizations.
Read 'Get Prepared: The Complete Guide to Family Disaster Planning'
This book will provide you with a comprehensive overview of disaster planning and preparedness, which will complement the course materials.
Show steps
  • Read the book's chapters on identifying hazards and creating an emergency plan.
  • Take notes on key points and strategies.
Complete online quizzes and practice exercises on emergency management planning
Practicing these drills will help you reinforce your understanding of key concepts.
Browse courses on Emergency Management
Show steps
  • Find online quizzes and practice exercises on reputable websites or educational platforms.
  • Complete the quizzes and exercises regularly to test your knowledge and identify areas for improvement.
Five other activities
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Show all eight activities
Draft a disaster plan for your household
Starting a project now will help you apply what you learn about extreme weather events and emergency management throughout the course.
Browse courses on Disaster Preparedness
Show steps
  • Research the types of natural disasters that can occur in your area.
  • Identify the potential risks and vulnerabilities of your household to these disasters.
  • Develop a plan to mitigate these risks and prepare for these events.
Create a social media campaign to raise awareness about disaster preparedness
Creating this campaign will help you apply your understanding of risk communication and public health emergencies.
Browse courses on Disaster Preparedness
Show steps
  • Develop a message and key talking points for your campaign.
  • Create visually appealing content, such as infographics, videos, and social media posts.
  • Promote your campaign on social media using relevant hashtags and keywords.
Follow tutorials on best practices for crisis communication
Following these tutorials will help you develop skills in effectively communicating during emergencies.
Browse courses on Crisis Communication
Show steps
  • Search for tutorials and resources on crisis communication from industry experts or reputable organizations.
  • Follow the tutorials and complete any exercises or assignments provided.
Volunteer with your local emergency management agency
Volunteering will allow you to gain practical experience in emergency management and disaster response.
Show steps
  • Contact your local emergency management agency and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
  • Attend training sessions and complete required certifications.
  • Participate in emergency drills and exercises.
Conduct mock interviews with classmates
Conducting mock interviews will help you practice communicating effectively in emergency situations.
Browse courses on Public Speaking
Show steps
  • Prepare questions and scenarios that simulate real-world emergency situations.
  • Take turns interviewing and being interviewed by classmates.
  • Provide feedback and critique to improve each other's communication skills.

Career center

Learners who complete Disaster, Crisis, and Emergency Preparedness Communication will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Emergency Communications Specialist
Gain the knowledge and skills needed to develop and implement effective emergency communications plans. You will also learn how to use various communication channels to reach the public during an emergency.
Public Health Emergency Manager
Learn the essentials of planning and executing emergency management plans that arise from public health crises. You will also learn how to communicate the risks and hazards of public health emergencies to the public.
Natural Disaster Specialist
Become an expert in the different types of natural disasters and the risks they pose to communities. You will also learn how to assess vulnerabilities, communicate risk, and develop and implement mitigation plans.
Emergency Management Officer
Gain the knowledge and skills needed to develop and implement emergency management plans for organizations. You will also learn how to coordinate with other agencies during an emergency, and how to evaluate and improve emergency management plans.
Crisis Communications Consultant
Learn how to manage communications during a crisis to protect an organization's reputation. You will also learn how to develop and implement crisis communication plans, and how to communicate with the media and the public during a crisis.
Community Resilience Officer
Learn how to assess and build community resilience to disasters and emergencies. You will also learn how to develop and implement community resilience plans, and how to engage with community members to improve disaster preparedness.
Public Health Educator
Gain the knowledge and skills needed to educate the public about health risks and how to prepare for and respond to emergencies. You will also learn how to develop and implement public health education campaigns.
Disaster Relief Program Manager
Learn how to manage disaster relief programs that provide assistance to victims of disasters. You will also learn how to coordinate with other agencies and organizations to provide effective disaster relief.
Epidemiologist
May be useful in understanding the health impacts of disasters and emergencies, and how to mitigate these impacts.
Sociologist
May be useful in understanding the social impacts of disasters and emergencies, and how to mitigate these impacts.
Environmental Scientist
May be useful in understanding the environmental impacts of disasters and emergencies, and how to mitigate these impacts.
Toxicologist
May be useful in understanding the toxicological hazards of disasters and emergencies, and how to mitigate these hazards.
Emergency Medical Technician
May be useful in providing medical care during disasters and emergencies.
Risk Manager
May be useful in understanding and managing the risks associated with disasters and emergencies.
Firefighter
May be useful in fighting fires during disasters and emergencies.

Reading list

We've selected seven books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Disaster, Crisis, and Emergency Preparedness Communication.
Provides guidance for local health departments on how to plan for public health emergencies. It covers a wide range of topics, from risk assessment to response and recovery.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the whole community approach to emergency management. It covers a wide range of topics, from planning and preparedness to response and recovery.
Offers helpful advice for various aspects of crisis management and emergency risk.

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