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Disaster Preparedness

Approx. 13 hours to complete

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Course Summary

Learn how to prepare for and respond to natural disasters, including earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and wildfires.

Key Learning Points

Identify potential hazards and create a disaster preparedness plan for your home and community
Learn how to effectively respond to natural disasters and provide aid to those in need
Understand the importance of emotional and psychological preparedness in disaster situations

Learning Outcomes

Create a comprehensive disaster preparedness plan
Understand the psychological impact of natural disasters
Effectively respond to natural disasters and provide aid to those in need

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

No prior knowledge required
Access to a computer and internet connection

Course Difficulty Level

Beginner

Course Format

Online Self-paced Course
Video Lectures
Interactive Quizzes

Similar Courses

Emergency Preparedness and Response
Natural Disasters and Society
Disaster Risk Reduction

Related Education Paths

Notable People in This Field

FEMA
American Red Cross

Related Books

Description

Have you ever viewed a news report depicting the aftermath of a devastating natural disaster? The damage to human life and property are both staggering and heartbreaking. All parts of the world face the possibility of floods, hurricanes, tornados, fires, landslides, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other natural phenomena. Are you prepared if disaster would strike you? This course will help you prepare!

The course is appropriate for any learner who is proactive about developing the core competencies of disaster readiness and survival planning. It is especially useful if you are seeking techniques that can ensure your personal protection, as well as the safety of your family, property, and belongings, during a natural disaster. In addition, it offers essential preparation for a variety of emergency situations and inconveniences, even if you do not live in major tornado, flood, hurricane, tsunami, or earthquake zone. For instance, could you and your loved ones manage without access to potable water, electricity, fuel, and banking facilities? If you are unsure of your ability to respond in any of these possible scenarios, this course is for you! Throughout the course, you will be introduced to the Disaster Cycle, specifically the Mitigation and Recovery phases, and will create an extensive personal preparedness plan for survival in the absence of common amenities, such as food and water, shelter, and communication. You will also acquire practical, easy-to-apply strategies for maintaining a healthy attitude during disaster which can allow you to remain calm, avoid panic, and draw upon inner and outer resources in dire circumstances. Although death may be an inevitable outcome of extreme circumstances, a balanced outlook can provide comfort for all parties involved. Finally, issues of how institutions and governments can aid in disaster are also discussed. If you are interested in this topic you may be interested in other online programs at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. Learn more about those programs by visiting our website: http://www.online.pitt.edu/programs/school-of-nursing/

Outline

Introduction & Disaster Cycle
Disaster Preparedness Course Overview
Introduction
Introduction to Disaster Cycle and Mitigation Part 1
Disaster Cycle - Mitigation Part 2
Disaster Cycle - Response and Recovery
Disaster Response Panel Discussion Part 1 (optional)
Disaster Response Panel Discussion Part 2 (optional)
Learning Objectives
Syllabus
Introduction & Disaster Cycle

Personal Preparedness Basics
Introduction
Food
Shelter
Water
Light
Learning Objectives
Readings
Personal Preparedness Basics

Personal Preparedness Safety
Introduction
Communication
Security
Authority
First Aid
Environmental Concerns
Tools
Learning Objectives
Readings
Personal Preparedness Safety

Attitudes and Awareness
Introduction
Awareness
Attitude and Awareness - Part 1
Attitude and Awareness - Part 2
Attitude and Awareness - Part 3
Nancy Vickroy - Guest Speaker (optional)
Learning Objectives
Readings
Attitudes and Awareness

International Perspectives
Dr. Kenichi Ogura - Guest Speaker
Learning Objectives
Readings
International Perspectives

Support and Medical Considerations
Introduction
Triage
Preparedness on a Larger Scale
Support and Medical Considerations

Wilderness Survival
Introduction to Pat Adams
Fire By Friction
Basic Fire Building
Survival Shelters
Water Purification
Practical Knives
Learning Objectives
Readings
Quiz: Wilderness Survival (not graded)

Summary of User Reviews

Learn disaster preparedness with this course on Coursera. Users generally rate it positively, mentioning its practicality and usefulness in real-life situations. One key aspect that many users thought was good is its comprehensive coverage of different types of disasters and how to prepare for them.

Pros from User Reviews

Practical and useful in real-life situations
Comprehensive coverage of different types of disasters and how to prepare for them
Engaging and interactive course material
Easy to follow and understand
Great for beginners

Cons from User Reviews

Some technical issues with the course platform
Not enough hands-on practice or simulations
Some users found the content repetitive or basic
Lack of focus on specific regions or cultures
Limited interaction with instructors or other students

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