Kia ora koutou
In this issue:
- Global lessons from COVID-19 response operations webinar
- 2022 masterclasses
- Upcoming RRANZ courses
- Recent and interesting reading in the Response and Recovery space
- Resources for managing volunteers
- Using powerful words to signal risk and encourage action
- EMPA webinar: The Seat at the Table
- Interactive visualisation of the impact of climate change
Global lessons from COVID-19 response operations webinar
If you missed this webinar with Dave Parsons, a recording is available to view online.
2022 masterclasses
We are continuing our masterclasses series, with spaces available in the following masterclasses:
- Facilitating successful debriefs
- Response and recovery decision-making under pressure
- Leading in a multi-agency response and recovery environment
Find out more and register online
Upcoming RRANZ courses 2022
| PART 1 (ONLINE) - WEEK BEGINNING: | PART 2 (FACE-TO-FACE) – WEEK BEGINNING: |
|---|---|
| 2 May 2022 | 4 April 2022 |
| 20 June 2022 | 22 August 2022 |
| 5 September 2022 | 21 November 2022 |
Find out more and apply online
RECENT AND INTERESTING READING IN THE RESPONSE AND RECOVERY SPACE
Managing volunteers
Volunteering Queensland in conjunction with the Australian government has developed a suite of resources to support and enable local government and volunteer-involving organisations to follow best practice in the management of spontaneous volunteers.
These resources include guides and templates to capture local plans and arrangements for managing volunteers during a crisis
Using powerful words to signal risk and encourage action
New research from Australia has explored whether emergency communications can be adapted to better support community understanding, decision-making and protective behaviour.
The first resource, Hazard Note (Hazard Note 110) focuses on what words and phrases are most effective in signalling risk and triggering behavioural response during bushfire and flood emergencies.
A further resource Hazard Note (Hazard Note 111) examines the effectiveness of different Emergency Alert structures for bushfire and flood, which were co-designed with the Victoria State Emergency Service and Emergency Management Victoria.
EMPA webinar: The Seat at the Table webinar
This recent webinar from EMPA (Emergency Media and Public Affairs) brought together Tony Pearce (Inspector-General for Emergency Management; VIC), Michele Poole (Head of Comms and engagement, FENZ – SI) and Leah Hornibrook (Mgr, Partnerships, QFES) to discuss one of the very important issues facing communicators and community engagement practitioners every day. It is first on the list in the Principles of Communication in Emergency and Disaster, recently launched by EMPA.
Excellent communication is central to excellent operations. Communicators need a seat at the table and a voice in strategic decision-making. They should understand, support, and influence operational objectives.
Interactive visualisation of the impact of climate change
The UK newspaper, The Guardian has put together an interactive visualisation of climate change that provides some interesting reading. Check it out now
And finally ...
Looking after yourself – easier to say than do. It may feel uncomfortable, feel laden with guilt or feel impossible. The fact is that you will be able to contribute more over the long term if you look after yourself. Role modelling this for your team is a powerful gift. Know too that failing to care for yourself will impact those around you – your team, the community you support and those in your personal life.
Self-care is a demonstration of respect – for the people you serve, for your team, for the people you care about and for yourself. A stressed leader equals a stressed team.