DOH WORKSHOPS

08:30-08:45 Registration

08:45-10:00 Introduction to Disaster Mental Health and Psychosocial Support

Instructor: Dr. Todd Benham
Content: This session will introduce the rationale for including intentional and focused DMPHSS efforts in disaster planning and response. Common adverse psychosocial reactions, their etiologies and prevalence, and general strategies for mitigating detrimental psychosocial outcomes will be discussed. A basic overview of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and associated interventions will be provided.

10:00-10:15: Break

10:15-11:15 Abu Dhabi Disaster Mental Health Response Plan

Instructors: Dr. Nahida Nayaz Ahmed and Dr. Samah Saeed Obaid Mebjar
Content: This session will introduce Abu Dhabi’s current and future approach to developing and managing the psychosocial impacts of disaster with a focus on how Abu Dhabi is currently conducting disaster mental health humanitarian efforts.

11:15-11:45 Disaster Mental Health Response Team

Instructor: Dr. Todd Benham
Content: An overview of a practical disaster mental health response plan will be provided to orient attendees with the roles of a Disaster Mental Health Response Team (DMHRT) during and after a disaster.

11:45-12:00: Open Dialogue/Questions

12:00-13:00: Lunch

13:00-14:00 France’s Disaster Mental Health Response Plan

Instructor: Charles-Henry Martin
Content: This session will provide information on France’s activities to improve DMPHSS throughout their country, including an overview of current operational disaster mental health response teams and their composition and capabilities.

14:00-14:30 Disaster Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for EMTs

Instructor: Dr. Greg Ciottone
Content: This session will provide first-hand experience on the importance of disaster mental health preparedness and response and a call to action for the global disaster response community.

14:30-14:45: Break

14:45-15:45 GSD Efforts in Disaster Mental Health and Psychosocial Support

Instructors: Mr. Joseph Balogun and Ms. Kim Woolley

15:45-16:00: Break

16:00-16:30 DMHPSS Moving Forward

Instructors: Panel Discussion
Content: This session will focus on future efforts to improve DMHPSS throughout the disaster response cycle.

Introduction

The Disaster Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (DMHPSS) workshop is a one-day workshop designed for mental health practitioners, hospital and facility administrators, government and non-government disaster response organizations, and first responders. The workshop will provide attendees with basic information to understand the fundamentals of disaster mental health and psychosocial support in both disaster preparation and response with a goal of increasing activities focused on DMHPSS in all phases of in all phases of disaster management.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the extensive and potentially detrimental psychosocial impacts on disaster responders and disaster victims.
• Develop a basic understanding of trauma-related mental health disorders and the importance of providing timely and evidence-based interventions for disaster responders.
• Understand the basic elements of a Disaster Mental Health Response Team and disaster response plan.
• Understand the importance of DMPHSS activities and the role of DMHPSS members in supporting Emergency Management Teams, other disaster response teams, and victims of disasters.
• Understand how models of DMPHSS are being implemented in several regions around the world.

Introduction

The Pre-Deployment Course is a 2-day comprehensive training program that is conducted in a classroom & field setting. The course covers most aspects of international deployments to austere environments, from the initial briefing to demobilization, and is designed to prepare students for deployment to a disaster environment. Attendees are presented with a wide variety of topics and practical exercise applications. Topics include Team Briefing, Team Leadership & Dynamics, Basic Land Navigation, Individual Kit, Preparing for Deployment, Psychological Issues, Base of Operations Considerations, Travel Clinic & Vaccinations, Patient Movement, H.E.A.T, Threat Assessment, among others.

Learning Objectives:

• Expose attendees to the basics of deployment to a disaster, from initial briefing to demobilization.
• Prepare attendees for deployment into disaster environments.
• Provide attendees with practical experience in basic patient packaging/transportation in a disaster area.

Specific Skills:

• Understand the Deployment Process: Describe the key elements of the deployment process, from initial briefing to demobilization.
• Develop Team Leadership Skills: Demonstrate effective team leadership and dynamics in a simulated austere environment.
• Demonstrate Basic Land Navigation Skills: Use basic land navigation tools and techniques to orient themselves in an unfamiliar environment.
• Prepare Individual Kit for Deployment: Assemble and inspect personal gear.
• Recognize and Manage Psychological Issues: Identify and manage common psychological issues that may arise during deployment.
• Establish a Base of Operations: Set up a functional base of operations in an austere environment.
• Understand Travel Clinic and Vaccination Requirements: Describe necessary travel clinic and vaccination requirements for international deployment.
• Demonstrate Patient Movement Techniques: Safely and effectively move patients in a simulated austere environment.
• Conduct Threat Assessments: Perform a basic threat assessment in an austere environment.
• Apply H.E.A.T (Hostile Environment Awareness Training) Principles: Recognize and respond to potential threats in an austere environment.

DAY 1

08:00-09:00: Introduction & Pre-Deployment Briefing
Instructor: Robert Obernier
The Initial and follow-up team briefings, expectations, field communications, safety and mission overview, field leadership overview, cultural awareness. What should be briefed prior to deploying? Logistics: What do we need and how do we get it? What team gear do we bring?

09:00-09:45: Preparing for Deployment
Instructors: Robert Obernier, Katie Vear
Discussion on pre, during & post deployment psychological/mental issues to the deployer. Family Communications. Discussion regarding communications to & with those left behind when you deploy. Travel Clinic & Vaccinations; What vaccinations do you need & what should you consider?

09:45-10:00: Break

10:00-11:00: Field Leadership
Instructors: Brad Newbury, Robert Obernier
What does it take to be a Team Leader? Team Dynamics: Management & Coordination of the Team: Open discussion regarding team coordination, management, composition & team dynamics.

11:00-11:45: Location, Location, Location: Basic Land Navigation. Where are you? Radio/Sat Communications
Instructor: Robert Obernier (Full Team)
Discussion on GPS, Location Apps available, and basic map reading. Practical Exercises in map reading. Basic communications.

11:45-12:00: Q & A

12:00-13:00: Entire Team Lunch

13:00-14:00: Base of Operations: Clinic, Billet & Other Considerations
Instructors: Robert Obernier, Katie Vear
Selection of a Base of Operations, setting up camp, security & WASH requirements.

14:00-15:45: Field Life Skills, Individual Kit
Instructors: Katie Vear, Robert Obernier
Selection of your own gear. What should I bring, not bring? What is an MRE? Should I filter water? Practical exercises in water filtration.

15:45-16:00: Break

16:00-17:00: Field Ethics: Conflict Resolution Exercise & Cultural Issues
Instructors: Cara Taubman, Fadi Issa
Scenario based practical exercise on conflict resolution when you are the team leader. What it means to be “in charge.” Core Humanitarian Principles

DAY 2

08:00-09:00: Vulnerable Populations in Disasters
Instructor: Fadi Issa
Focus on scenarios facing pediatric populations, family reunification, child trafficking in the immediate disaster setting.

09:00-10:00: Reporting, Documentation, UN Cluster Meetings
Instructors: Cara Taubman, Fadi Issa
Patient reporting & documentation for WHO. U.N. Cluster meeting.

10:00-10:15: Break

10:15-11:00: Hostile Environment Awareness Training
Instructor: Robert Obernier
Situational awareness, security, and basic techniques on how to respond. Personal Accountability Record (PAR). (Field Experience during Full Scale Exercise) Threat Assessment Gathering information before we depart. Is there a known or perceived threat? Combine this with H.E.A.T training.

12:00-13:00: Lunch

13:00-15:00: Field Skills: Immobilization & Patient Movement, Helicopter LZ’s
Instructors: Brad Newbury, Cara Taubman, (Full Team)
Patient packaging and movement. Selection of a Landing Zone (LZ) (Field Experience) Modify this to patient extraction? Practical Exercises.

15:00-15:15: Break

15:15-16:30: Introduction to Disaster Mental Health in Disaster Preparedness and Response
Instructor: Todd Benham
Provide attendees with basic information to understand the fundamentals of disaster mental health. Attendees will be introduced to the basic rationale for and knowledge of how to incorporate a Disaster Mental Health Response Team (DMHRT) in all phases of disaster management, including the basic elements of the disaster mental health response plan.

16:30-17:00: Demobilization: Returning Home
Instructors: Katie Vear, Robert Obernier
“Let’s go home.” Preparing to demobilize, handing off to another NGO or WHO EMT. What to expect after we get home.

DAY 3

08:00-17:00: Combined CBRN/MCI Full-Scale Exercise
Attendees will participate in the CBRN/MCI Full-Scale Exercise, running an established Medical Clinic. They will determine Roles & Responsibilities for team members and be active participants in this Full-Scale Exercise.

Below are some of the critical skill set learning objectives for this training program:

• Apply Incident Command System principles focusing on medical operations.
• Identify the appropriate personal protection equipment levels when responding to a CBRN incident or mass casualty incident.
• Evaluate casualties using techniques such as Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment (START) triage.
• Provide casualty assistance and perform CBRN emergency medical operations and treatment management while wearing personal protective equipment.
• Process non-ambulatory, ambulatory, and special needs casualties through a decontamination corridor.
• Conduct tracking, transport, and evacuation operations in support of casualty evacuation during a mass casualty incident.

DAY 1

08:00-09:00: Introduction to CBRN Incidents

Instructors: Gabriel Benmoussa & David Di Gregorio

This course will explain the difference between chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents and differentiate the threat from weaponized materials versus the potential danger of accidents involving materials used each day in industry and transported across the roads and rails.

• Overview of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons
• Discussion of Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TICS) and Toxic Industrial Materials (TIMS) and the threat they present
• Historical overview of production and use of CBRN agents
• Understanding the different agents and their effects on human health

09:00-10:30: CBRN Toxicology and Medical Management

Faculty: Dr. Greg Ciottone & Dr. Terri Davis

This module is focused on the knowledge and skill sets required for the response to CBRNE events and acute medical and trauma in CBRNE, with particular emphasis on chemical agents and radiation, along with the associated conventional trauma. Essential skill sets include immediate life-saving antidotes and understanding the remaining biological and chemical agents at risk of weaponization.

• Identifying signs and symptoms of CBRN exposure
• Specific treatment protocols for different types of CBRN agents

10:30-12:00: Personal Protective Equipment Lecture and Practical

Faculty: David Di Gregorio

This module covers PPE, including respiratory protection and clothing ensembles. It describes types of PPE, selection factors, use, inspection, testing, maintenance, storage, and documentation.

12:00-13:00: LUNCH

13:00-14:30: Decontamination Procedures Lecture and Practical

Faculty: Dr. Eman Al Shaikh & David Di Gregorio

This decontamination module describes conditions and methods of decontamination, including assessing effectiveness, emergency and mass decontamination procedures, technical decontamination, and procedures for implementation, termination, documentation, and reporting.

14:30-15:15: Psychological and Behavioral Responses to CBRN Incidents

Faculty: Dr. Todd Benham

This class focuses on understanding psychological and behavioral responses to CBRN incidents, including:

• Psychological impact
• Risk perception
• Psychological first aid in CBRN emergencies
• Addressing public fears and concerns
• Community resilience

15:30-16:30: CBRN Field Operations Command and Control

Faculty: All Faculty

This module aims to improve command, control, and coordination during a CBRN incident. It covers the CBRN Incident Command System, effective response coordination, and resource assignment.

16:30-17:00: Exercise Preparation

Faculty: All Faculty

Assigning roles and responsibilities in the full-scale exercise to participants.