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Lecture Services

Presentations

Disaster Action is uniquely placed to give an overview of the way in which the human aspects of disaster response have evolved since the late 1980s. Recognising, identifying and trying to meet the needs of survivors and the bereaved are now at the core of any disaster response. The personal stories of how disaster has affected our lives go hand in hand with the knowledge and experience we have gained from over 20 different disasters.

A number of DA members participate in seminars, conferences and training events on the human aspects of disaster response around the UK and in Europe for police, local authorities and the voluntary services. Bespoke presentations and workshops are prepared by us in discussion with clients to meet specific event aims and objectives. Much of the purpose of such presentations is to give delegates some insight into the personal impact of disaster, and the role that they may be able to play in ameliorating the experience of others in the future.

 

This is a personally demanding task that can have a powerful impact on delegates. While we deliver a professional service to clients, our credibility lies in our direct experience of disaster and our capacity to engage with an audience, not as trainers.

 

Our presentations are informed by the individual experience of the speaker, while highlighting the generic messages of the importance of a rights-based approach to:

 

  • Access to information
  • Practical and financial help
  • Openness, sensitivity
  • Informed choice
  • Non-judgmental assistance
  • Medical care
  • Emotional first aid/psychological support
  • Respect for individual difference/privacy/dignity.


 A selection of our clients includes:
  • Ambulance service/Department of Health (Hazardous Area Response Teams)
  • Association of Train Operating Companies
  • Belgian Red Cross (French-speaking)
  • British Red Cross
  • Cabinet Office Emergency Planning College, York
  • City of London Police
  • City University
  • Coroners’ Officers’ Association
  • Devon and Cornwall Police
  • Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
  • Essex County Council
  • Foreign and Commonwealth Office Consular Directorate
  • Hampshire County Council
  • Metropolitan Police Service
  • National Policing Improvement Agency, Bramshill, Hampshire
  • St Helens Council
  • Sussex County Council
  • University of Hertfordshire
  • Wilton Park (independent agency of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office)

Our members talk about Disaster Action and its aims and objectives as well as our direct personal experience, encouraging those involved in policy, planning and frontline responding to consider how every decision taken in the aftermath will affect survivors and bereaved. With a wealth of experience in this field, Disaster Action can design bespoke courses on the human aspects of disaster. The fees Disaster Action charges for this service go some way to meeting the day-to-day expenses of the charity.

For further information please contact Pamela Dix.

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© 2008 DisasterAction

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