SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION for Disaster Responders: A Coach-supported Training Program

  COURSE CALENDAR

(Click on the link above to be redirected to the 2009 training calendar for this course.)
 

Course Description

Background:  SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION is a framework for achieving and maintaining a high level of disaster health and well-being.  “Disaster health” was introduced as a concept and discipline in Homeland Security Presidential Directive-21 (HSPD-21: National Strategy for Public Health and Medical Preparedness, 2007).  SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION follows the lead of HSPD-21 by integrating elements of disaster medical care, public health, and behavioral health within a single framework.


SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION uses the familiar structure of Goal, Strategies, Objectives, and Tactics:

  • The GOAL of SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION is to achieve and maintain a high level of disaster health and well-being.

  • SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION defines “disaster health” as, “Maximal safety, optimal function, and effective action in response to emergencies, disasters, and extreme events.”

  • The Three Keys to Disaster Health are: SAFETY, FUNCTION, and ACTION.

  • SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION revolves around a set of six STRATEGIES:
    • To achieve maximal SAFETY:  the strategies are SAFEGUARD and SUSTAIN.
    • To achieve optimal FUNCTION:  the strategies are COMFORT and CONNECT.
    • To achieve  effective ACTION: the strategies are ADVISE and ACTIVATE.


  • The same six STRATEGIES apply to disaster responders and disaster survivors.

  • Each strategy is addressed through a set of OBJECTIVES and corresponding TACTICS. 

The SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION for Disaster Responders: A Coach-supported Training program has evolved from and maintains key components from our one-day SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION for Disaster Responders course.  For the SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Coach-supported Training program, all elements of SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION are assembled into a sequence of components that are collectively described as the SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION “PATHWAY”, as illustrated below:   

In this program, participants will attend a one-day training session where they will be given the guidance and materials necessary to bring SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION back to their work groups.  Participants will be asked to recruit a group of colleagues (ranging from 1-5 co-workers) and progress systematically through the activities that comprise the SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION “PATHWAY”. 

The SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Coach-supported Training program uses an innovative COACH-FACILITATED TRAIN-THE-TRAINER method where participants (“facilitators”) are provided with a “coach”/case-manager at DEEP Center to guide them during their early weeks and months of supporting colleagues.  Customized guidance is provided by coaches to facilitators as they navigate their team along the SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION “PATHWAY”. 

SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION for Disaster Responders: A Coach-supported Training equips participants with the knowledge, guidance, and materials necessary to create an ever present “culture of preparedness” in their workplace through the use of the SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION framework and principles.
 

Intended Audiences
 

The framework of the SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Coach-supported Training  program is broadly adaptable to the training of persons who have a defined disaster role, ranging from first responders, to disaster-activated response professionals, to disaster volunteers. 

  

Course Capacity


SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION for Disaster Responders: A Coach-supported Training : 20-30 participants per session

 

Course and Program Objectives

  • Educate colleagues on the structure of SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION.

  • Acquire, practice, and educate colleagues on the SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION PREPARE Skills Set.

  • Acquire, practice, and educate colleagues on the six SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Strategies for Responders.

  • Acquire, practice, and educate colleagues on the SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION RESPOND Skills Set.

  • Acquire, practice, and educate colleagues on the six SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Strategies for Survivors.

  • Receive guidance and support from a DEEP Center SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Coach regarding progress along the SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Pathway of training activities.

Funding

During 2009, the Florida Department of Health is funding 40 sessions of SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION for Disaster Responders: A Coach-supported Training  throughout Florida. DEEP Center funding from the Florida Department of Health originates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). 

Florida Department of Health funding for the DEEP Center is used to support training conducted for public health professionals and their community preparedness and response partners and training for hospital-based health professionals and their community partners in the State of Florida. 

Additional trainings are being conducted in other states upon request for audiences including public health, mental health, healthcare, public safety, and law enforcement professionals.

 

Training Materials

Materials provided to training participants:
  • SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Laminated Strategy, Objective & Tactic Handout (double-sided)
  • SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Survivor Checklist Handout (double-sided)
  • SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Flipbook(s)
  • SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Family Disaster Plan Guidebook(s)
  • SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Participant Guidebook(s)
  • SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Training Module Guidebook
  • SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Textbook
  • SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION USB Drive (pre-loaded with course materials)
  • SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Disaster Photo Library (on-line)
  • SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Hazard and Profession Specific Exercises (on-line)
 

Course Agenda

   

SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION for Disaster Responders:
A Coach-supported Training Program
 
AGENDA 

08:00 AM

Registration and Pre-Assessment

08:30 AM

Introduction

SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION: Overview and Disaster Behavioral Health

09:00 AM

 Defining the Facilitator Role

09:15 AM

 The PREPARE SKILLS SET

10:00 AM

Break

10:15 AM

 Introduction to Scenario Exercise

10:30 AM

SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Strategies for Responders

12:00 PM

Break

01:00 PM

The RESPOND SKILLS SET

02:30 PM

Break

02:45 PM

 SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Strategies for Survivors

04:00 PM

Discussion

04:15 PM

Evaluation

04:30 PM

Adjourn


 

Course Faculty


James M. Shultz, MS, PhD
Director, Center for Disaster & Extreme Event Preparedness (DEEP Center)
Co-Director, Miami Center for Public Health Preparedness
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Miami, Florida

Andrea Allen, PhD, LMHC
Consultant
Associate Dean, College of Adult and Continuing Education
Barry University
Miami Shores, Florida

Susan Schmitz, MA
Sr. Research Associate, Center for Disaster & Extreme Event Preparedness (DEEP Center)
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Miami, Florida

Drs. Shultz and Allen are the primary authors and creators of the SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION programs.