CDEM Professional Development

Continuing Education Presentation: Introduction to Psychosocial Support

The Professional Development team has arranged a Continuing Education opportunity for the CDEM sector. A presentation by Dr Sarb Johal will discuss psychosocial support during and after a civil defence emergency event. It is relevant to a variety of CDEM roles, particularly to those involved in recovery and welfare.

The session covers theoretical concepts and models of psychosocial support during and after emergency events. It is designed to provide an understanding of the theoretical background to the principles of practice. Topics will include:

How do disasters affect people?
How do the effects show themselves in people and their communities?
How can individuals and communities be assisted to help cope with the effects of disasters?

Presentation details
Date: Tuesday 8 December 2009
Time: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Wellington
Cost: Please note there is no cost to attend, but places are limited.

To register your interest, please email CDEMProfDev@dia.govt.nz

MCDEM Courses
MCDEM’s Professional Development team have been running the Controllers’, Recovery Managers’ and Public Information Managers’ courses since November 2007. In all, there have been four rounds of courses delivered in three different locations, attended by over 400 people involved in CDEM. In April 2009, we also piloted a continuing education opportunity on Media Management.

The needs analysis work that was completed in 2007 (involving experienced Controllers, Recovery Managers and Public Information Managers) to develop the MCDEM courses was used in the development of the CDEM Competency Framework. As part of Stage Two of the Competency Framework project (and continued course refreshment) these courses are being evaluated against the Framework to ensure alignment and to validate content.

The next round of MCDEM courses will be in March 2010 in Christchurch.

Controllers Course:
A two- day exercise-based course facilitated by MCDEM. Throughout the course an experienced panel and guest speakers will review decisions made by participants and provide feedback. Content covers trainable competencies identified at and incorporated into the DGL 06/08 Response Management: Director's Guideline for CDEM Group and Local Controllers (pdf 1MB) Limited to 35 people.
Date: 22 & 23 March 2010
Times: Starts at 8:30 am on the 22 March and finishes at 4:30 pm on the 23 March.

Recovery Managers Course:
This two-day course for Group, Local and alternate recovery managers will be facilitated by MCDEM. Content is based on Recovery Management: Directors Guidelines for CDEM Groups (pdf) and covers technical processes as well as theoretical knowledge. It also includes a mix of scenario-based practical exercises and an experienced recovery panel and guest speakers. Limited to 35 people.
Date: 24 & 25 March 2010
Times: Starts at 9:00 am on the 24th of March and finishes at 4:00 pm on the 25th of March.

Public Information Managers Course:
A one-day course for those required to perform core public information management (PIM) during an emergency. It will focus on developing PIM skills detailed in Public Information Management: Information for the CDEM Sector through a mix of practical exercises, guest presentations and discussions. Prerequisite: Previous experience in basic communications functions (e.g. writing media releases, media liaison). Limited to 30 people.
Date: 26 March 2010
Times: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm

Costs: There is no cost to attend these courses, however it is the responsibility of the participants to fund their own transport, accomodation, and any other meals and incidentals incurred.

Nominations: Nomination for the March courses will open in December 2009. Please contact your MCDEM Regional Emergency Management Advisor for a nomination form or for further information about the courses.

Response Management Guidelines
Click the link to download a copy of DGL 06/08 Response Management: Director's Guideline for CDEM Group and Local Controllers (pdf 1MB).

CDEM Research
To be redirected to further information about CDEM Research, please click here.

The MCDEM Professional Development Team
The Professional Development Team is part of the CDEM Specialist Services Unit. The Team is made up of three Professional Development Advisors: Alex Tait, Jonny McKenzie and Anneke Pinker and a Professional Development Team Leader: Jane Pierard. The Team can be contacted by emailing CDEMProfDev@dia.govt.nz

Suggestions, comments or notifications about planned Government Agency, CDEM Group or Local professional development activities should be emailed to: CDEMProfDev@dia.govt.nz

NaDIG
A Natural Disaster Investigation Group (NaDIG) has been formed to coordinate and manage New Zealand teams investigating the effects of off-shore natural disasters:

• NaDIG Summary Sheet
• NaDIG Protocols
• Current Investigations
• Investigation Reports
• Templates