Introduction to Disaster Response

Fall Course Syllabus

Hesston College Mission Statement

Hesston College, the two-year college of the Mennonite Church USA,
educates and nurtures each student within Christ-centered community,
integrating thought, life, and faith for service to others in the church
and the world.

Hesston College Outcomes

Hesston College strives to help each student become:

\*A Competent Communicator

\*A Critical Thinker

\*An Integrative Thinker

\*A Socially Responsible Person

\*A Person of Biblical Understanding and Faith

Disaster Management Mission Statement

The Hesston College Disaster Management Program exists to develop
leadership abilities in managing disaster response, emphasizing
Christ-like service to socially vulnerable people.

General Information

# Credits: 3

Instructor: Russ Gaeddert

Contact information:

E-mail: <russg@hesston.edu>

Office phone: (620) 327-8294

Cell phone: (620) 200-2985

Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 11:40-12:30

## Course Description

This course is the first in the Disaster Management program. It
introduces and explores the field of disaster management. It provides
background for dealing with disasters, victimization, and economic
losses from disasters in organized ways. It examines how organizations
serve communities and individuals from a service perspective.

**[Course Objectives]{.underline}**

The students will:

1.  Develop understanding about the nature of disaster;

2.  Recognize the importance of history in disaster response;

3.  Examine the roles of voluntary and government organizations in
    disaster;

4.  Recognize the cycles of recovery, and the physical aspects of
    recovery;

5.  Develop understanding of the politics of recovery;

6.  Examine how to build sustainability into a community holistically
    after disaster;

7.  Explore careers in disaster management.

**[Primary Sources]{.underline}**

The primary textbooks for this class are [Disaster Response and
Recovery]{.underline} by David A. McEntire and [Holistic Disaster
Recovery]{.underline}, produced by the Natural Hazards Research and
Applications Information Center. Handouts, articles, online discussions,
guest speakers, and videos/DVD's will be used in the class.

**[Course Requirements]{.underline}**

1\. Attendance: Each student is expected to attend class unless there
are special circumstances. If an absence is necessary, the learner is
expected to let the instructor know before class, and be responsible for
any material covered that day. Unexcused absences may result in the
lowering of a grade.

2\. Class participation: Participation in discussions is key to having
successful class sessions.

3\. Exams: There will be four exams throughout the semester, including
the final exam.

4\. Written assignments: There will be one major research paper due, and
shorter assignments will be assigned throughout the semester. Along with
content, all assignments will include evaluation of neatness, grammar,
punctuation, and organization. Online assignments will be due over an
eight-week period of time and will not be accepted after the due date.
Other assignments that are handed in late will be lowered ten percentage
points, and will be accepted up to one week after the due date.

**[Grading Policy]{.underline}**

Approximate point values:

Exams (four, including the final) 30%

Miscellaneous assignments 25%

Research paper 20%

Online assignments 15%

Participation/attendance/notes 10%

A = 90 -- 100%

B = 80 -- 89%

C = 70 -- 79%

D = 60 -- 69%

NC = 0 -- 59%

**[Course Schedule]{.underline}**

I.  Overview of course

II\. Hazards

A.  Natural hazards

B.  Technological hazards

C.  Civil/conflict hazards

D.  Impact of hazards on disaster response and recovery

III\. Disaster Participants

A.  Public sector

B.  Private sector

C.  Non-profit sector

D.  Emergent groups

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IV. Human Behavior

    A.  Media

    B.  Myths

    C.  Realities in response and recovery

V.  Disaster Management Theories

    A.  Traditional model

    B.  Professional model

    C.  Comparison of models

VI. Preparedness and Early Response

    A.  Preparedness tips for different hazards

    B.  Issuing warnings

    C.  Evacuation

    D.  Sheltering

    E.  Search and rescue

    F.  Emergency medical care

    G.  Stress management

VII. Moving Beyond Immediate Needs in Response

     A.  Dealing with donations

     B.  Dealing with volunteers

     C.  Assessing damages

     D.  Dealing with debris

     E.  Dealing with regulations

VIII. Facilitating Recovery

      A.  Individual assistance

      B.  Public assistance

      C.  Participatory process

      D.  Economic vitality

      E.  Promoting social and intergenerational equity

      F.  Protecting environmental quality

      G.  Incorporating disaster resilience

IX. Overcoming challenges

    A.  Transportation issues

    B.  Politics

    C.  Special populations

    D.  Communications

    E.  Legal concerns

    F.  Record keeping

X.  Tools For Recovery

    A.  Technological equipment

    B.  Managing disasters at a local level

    C.  Managing disasters at a state level

    D.  Managing disasters at a federal level

XI. Dealing With Future Disasters

    A.  Disasters on the rise

    B.  Insufficiently recognized hazards

    C.  Increased vulnerability

XII. Promoting Effective Disaster Response and Recovery

     A.  Preparing the community

     B.  Acquiring financial resources

     C.  Establishing an EOC

     D.  Training and exercises

     E.  Public education

     F.  Mitigation

XIII. Careers in Disaster Management

      A.  Public sector

      B.  Private sector

      C.  Non-profit sector

**[Special Needs]{.underline}**

Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent full
demonstration of abilities should contact the instructor to discuss any
needed accommodations.

**[Disclaimer]{.underline}**

The dynamics of this course may necessitate the contents of the syllabus
to change. Thus, the syllabus is subject to change with the approval of
the instructor.