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.
While we try to ensure that all content provided by Disaster Action is correct at the time of publication, no responsibility is accepted by or on behalf of Disaster Action for any errors, omissions or inaccurate content on this website. Disaster Action is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
