CHW EM - Module 5 CERC and Addl Training

Summary

This video, led by Jennifer Harris, a public health doctorate student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, focuses on emergency preparedness and management, specifically for community health workers. Module 5 addresses crisis and emergency risk communication, emphasizing the importance of timely, credible, and empathetic messaging in disasters. The module outlines the six principles of effective communication and highlights the critical role community health workers play in supporting their patients during emergencies. Harris also introduces FEMA's free online courses for those interested in further training. The session concludes with a call to action for health workers to continue enhancing their emergency response skills.

Takeaways

• 📋 The module focuses on crisis and emergency risk communication (CERC) for community health workers, which is vital for public health.
• 🏃‍♀️ Being the first to communicate in an emergency is crucial to prevent misinformation and ensure accurate information dissemination.
• ✅ Accuracy and credibility are essential in emergency communication, avoiding assumptions and ensuring the information is correct.
• 💬 Expressing empathy in communications is critical, especially when people are in shock or experiencing loss during emergencies.
• 📝 It's important to provide actionable steps to the public during emergencies, ensuring they know how to protect themselves and their health.
• 🤝 Respectful communication is vital, particularly during times of crisis, as seen during events like COVID-19.
• 📊 The CERC model outlines four key stages: preparation, initial response, maintenance, and resolution, with emphasis on proactive messaging and addressing rumors.
• 🎯 The U.S. government’s 'Healthy People 2030' includes specific emergency preparedness communication goals, aiming to improve the accuracy and empathy in messaging.
• 📚 FEMA offers free online courses, such as IS-100.c and IS-700, which provide additional training for community health workers in emergency management systems.
• 👏 The role of community health workers in emergency preparedness is essential, as they often help both individuals and communities with effective communication and response planning.

Q & A

What was the focus of the fifth module presented by Jennifer Harris?

The fifth module focused on crisis and emergency risk communication (CERC), emphasizing the importance of communication during emergencies and disasters.

Why is communication considered the most important element in emergency management?

Communication is crucial because it often emerges as the area needing improvement in after-action reviews following disasters. Effective communication can help prevent misinformation and ensure timely, accurate information reaches the public.

What are the six principles of CERC as discussed in the module?

The six principles of CERC are: Be first, Be right, Be credible, Express empathy, Promote action, and Show respect.

Why is it important to be the first to communicate during a crisis?

Being the first to communicate helps prevent the spread of misinformation. Delayed communication often leads to incorrect information circulating, which can be detrimental during emergencies.

How does expressing empathy help in crisis communication?

Expressing empathy builds trust and understanding with the affected population, especially when they are in shock or experiencing grief. It helps convey messages in a compassionate and supportive way.

What does promoting action entail in the context of emergency communication?

Promoting action involves giving people tangible steps they can take to protect their health, prevent injuries, or stabilize their situation during a crisis.

What is the significance of showing respect during emergency communication?

Showing respect ensures that communication remains factual, professional, and considerate, fostering a more cooperative and receptive public response, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What is the 'CERC rhythm,' and how does it apply to emergency communication?

The CERC rhythm outlines the phases of communication during an emergency: preparation, initial response, maintenance, and resolution. It emphasizes having pre-prepared messages, promoting actions during the crisis, and maintaining communication to address ongoing risks.

How does 'Healthy People 2030' incorporate emergency preparedness into its goals?

Healthy People 2030 includes specific goals related to emergency preparedness, such as increasing the proportion of emergency messages that provide complete information, reducing personal health threats, and promoting empathy, accountability, and commitment.

What are some of the training opportunities available for community health workers in emergency preparedness?

FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute offers free courses like IS-100.C (Introduction to the Incident Command System) and IS-700 (Introduction to the National Incident Management System), which provide certificates upon completion and help deepen knowledge in emergency management.