I&R Basics: I&R Disaster Response

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I&R organizations need to be prepared to play an active role in disaster response. This course introduces the stages of a disaster and outlines the role an I&R may play in each stage. It also explores government and nonprofit organizations that typically respond to and are active in disasters and what resources they typically provide. This course also outlines steps that should be taken to prepare the organization, the technology (including the database), and the individual team members to respond during a stressful and ever changing situation.

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2 Questions
2 Questions Introductory exercises...
Part 1: What the Standards Say
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. Discover what the AIRS Standards say about disaster preparedness, the role of I&R in disaster, and service delivery expectations during times of crisis.
Part 1: Review Exercise
8 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  8/8 points to pass
8 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  8/8 points to pass
Part 2: The Stages of Disaster
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. Disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery has historically been the responsibility of government agencies and specialized voluntary organizations. However, I&R services are now playing or developing much more active roles by managing non-emergency phone calls to help free-up the 9-1-1 system and by serving as a consolidator of information on what is happening and how their clients and communities are being impacted. Even if not directly involved and being forced to close during an actual disaster, an I&R service should be prepared and organized to resume active work as soon as possible and with minimum disruption.
Part 2: Review Exercise
1 Question  |  3 attempts  |  4/4 points to pass
1 Question  |  3 attempts  |  4/4 points to pass
Part 3: Disaster Database
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. I&R organizations are traditionally flexible and experienced in adjusting to changing circumstances. Resource database curators are accustomed to building comprehensive, detailed records in their I&R database but in a disaster this may not always be possible. What makes disaster response so challenging is that multiple circumstances can occur at the same time, placing an immense strain on the I&R team.
Part 3: Review Exercise
2 Questions
Part 4: Changes in the Nature of I&R During a Disaster
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. I&R organizations are flexible and experienced in adjusting to changing circumstances. What makes a disaster response challenging is that multiple circumstances can occur at the same time, placing a strain on the I&R organization and its staff/volunteers.
Part 4: Review Exercise
8 Questions  |  3 attempts  |  8/8 points to pass
8 Questions  |  3 attempts  |  8/8 points to pass
Discussion
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. Imagine that you have lost your home, all your belongings, your wallet and credit cards, and are now in your car with your family trying to find a place to take shelter. What would be some of your practical thoughts and emotional reactions?
Final Course Exam
14 Questions  |  3 attempts  |  11/14 points to pass
14 Questions  |  3 attempts  |  11/14 points to pass
Certificate of Completion
2.00 Hour(s) of Professional Development credits  |  Certificate available
2.00 Hour(s) of Professional Development credits  |  Certificate available
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Practice Scenario
3 Questions
3 Questions A major river flows through this city, and two days ago a levee broke causing dangerous levels of summer flood waters to spill into a middle-class residential neighborhood. Emergency response personnel issued mandatory evacuation orders. Local media publicized this I&R as a place to call for help, and the agency has been overwhelmed. An elderly woman calls to say she needs help picking up her medications. She didn’t evacuate because her home sits on a small hill and flood waters have never reached her before. Her home didn’t get flooded this time either, but the neighbor that normally drives her to the store evacuated and she doesn’t have a way to get to the pharmacy. The Community Resource Specialist asks whether the woman has run out of her medications yet, and the woman said she’s getting pretty low on her insulin — maybe has a day left. The Specialist also knows electricity and gas were shut off for this neighborhood before the levee broke, and she expresses concern about this situation. The woman dismisses the problem, saying the city does it every time there’s a little flooding; she’s used to it and knows they’ll turn it back on pretty soon. She’s got plenty of food in the pantry and always keeps a gallon or two of water on hand. The Specialist expresses concern about the woman’s safety. She says this flood is the worst in over 75 years and it’s taking much longer for services to be restored. She asks if the woman will reconsider and let someone rescue her. The woman says she’s fine and doesn’t want to leave her home. She has her cat to look after and feels safer here than she would anywhere else. The Specialist asks if the woman would allow her to send a rescue team just to come and check on her, and says they might be able to bring the medications to her. The woman says that’s what she needs, someone to bring her medications. The specialist collects the woman’s information, and says she will call back after she gets hold of the people who can come and visit. The Specialist calls the Emergency Operations Center and reports the woman’s situation. The EOC personnel agree to send someone to the woman and check on her, and try to coax her into coming with them to safety. She calls the woman back to let her know when help will arrive.
Role Play Exercise
4 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  11/11 points to pass
4 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  11/11 points to pass