Education in Disaster Management and Emergencies: Defining a New European Course

• Published in: Disaster medicine and public health preparedness 2015-06, Vol.9 (3), p.245-255
• Main Authors: Khorram-Manesh, Amir, Ashkenazi, Michael, Djalali, Ahmadreza, Ingrassia, Pier Luigi, Friedl, Tom, von Armin, Gotz, Lupesco, Olivera, Kaptan, Kubilay, Arculeo, Chris, Hreckovski, Boris, Komadina, Radko, Fisher, Philipp, Voigt, Stefan, James, James, Gursky, Elin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anestesi och intensivvård; Anesthesiology and Intensive Care; Civil Defense - education; Cooperation; Core curriculum; Curriculum; Design; Disaster management; Disaster Medicine - education; Disaster Medicine - legislation & jurisprudence; Disaster Planning - legislation & jurisprudence; Disasters; Education; Emergency medical care; Emergency preparedness; European Union; Experts; Health Policy; Humans; Kirurgi; Leadership; Management of crises; Natural disasters; Original Research; Pandemics; Problem based learning; Professional Competence; Public health; Science; Surgery; Teaching methods; Training
• ISSN: 1935-7893; 1938-744X; 1938-744X
• DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2015.9

Unremitting natural disasters, deliberate threats, pandemics, and humanitarian suffering resulting from conflict situations necessitate swift and effective response paradigms. The European Union's (EU) increasing visibility as a disaster response enterprise suggests the need not only for financial contribution but also for instituting a coherent disaster response approach and management structure. The DITAC (Disaster Training Curriculum) project identified deficiencies in current responder training approaches and analyzed the characteristics and content required for a new, standardized European course in disaster management and emergencies. Over 35 experts from within and outside the EU representing various organizations and specialties involved in disaster management composed the DITAC Consortium. These experts were also organized into 5 specifically tasked working groups. Extensive literature reviews were conducted to identify requirements and deficiencies and to craft a new training concept based on research trends and lessons learned. A pilot course and program dissemination plan was also developed. The lack of standardization was repeatedly highlighted as a serious deficiency in current disaster training methods, along with gaps in the command, control, and communication levels. A blended and competency-based teaching approach using exercises combined with lectures was recommended to improve intercultural and interdisciplinary integration. The goal of a European disaster management course should be to standardize and enhance intercultural and inter-agency performance across the disaster management cycle. A set of minimal standards and evaluation metrics can be achieved through consensus, education, and training in different units. The core of the training initiative will be a unit that presents a realistic situation "scenario-based training."