Disaster Management Fundamentals

Disaster Management Fundamentals

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This six hour course introduces the full disaster management cycle which includes preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. Learners will understand how communities organize to protect life, reduce losses, and support people during and after disasters. The course builds a shared vocabulary, clarifies the roles of key actors, and shows how coordination, planning, logistics, and communication work together in practice. It provides a strong foundation for professionals and students who are new to the field and prepares them for deeper skill development in later training.

Course Content

Getting Started: Foundations of Disaster Management
8 Topics
1 Quiz
What is Disaster Management?
Types of Disasters: Natural vs. Human-Made
The Disaster Cycle: Understanding the Process
Historical Perspective: Learning from the Past
Risk, Vulnerability, and Resilience Concepts
Stakeholders in Disaster Management
Legal and Policy Frameworks
Cultural and Social Factors in Disasters
Cultural & Social Factors
Reducing Future Risk: The Power of Mitigation
6 Topics
1 Quiz
Understanding Mitigation: Breaking the Disaster Cycle
Risk Assessment for Mitigation Planning
Structural Mitigation: Engineering Solutions
Non-Structural Mitigation: Policy and Planning
Community-Based Mitigation Programs
Mitigation Success Stories and Lessons Learned
Mitigation Fundamentals
Being Ready Before Disaster Strikes
8 Topics
1 Quiz
Preparedness Fundamentals: Getting Ready to Respond
Emergency Planning: Creating the Roadmap
Early Warning Systems: Detecting and Alerting
Training and Exercises: Building Response Capability
Resource Management and Logistics
Communication and Information Systems
Community Preparedness and Public Education
Preparedness Exercises and Plan Testing
Preparedness & Testing
Acting During Disaster: Response in Motion
8 Topics
1 Quiz
Response Phase Overview: Immediate Action for Life Safety
Incident Command System: Organizing the Response
Search and Rescue: Saving Lives
Emergency Medical Services: Treating the Injured
Evacuation and Mass Care: Moving and Caring for People
Emergency Public Information: Communicating During Crisis
Resource Management: Getting What’s Needed When Needed
Multi-Agency Coordination: Working Together in Crisis
Response & Coordination
Building Back: The Work of Recovery
10 Topics
1 Quiz
Recovery Phase Overview: What Happens After the Dust Settles
Damage Assessment: Determining What Was Lost
Emergency Recovery: Getting Critical Services Running
Housing Recovery: Helping People Return Home
Economic Recovery: Rebuilding Livelihoods
Infrastructure Reconstruction: Building Back Stronger
Community Recovery: Healing and Rebuilding Social Fabric
Environmental Recovery: Restoring Natural Systems
Building Back Better: Integrating Lessons Learned
Recovery & Lessons Learned
The Complete Cycle: Synthesis and Future Directions