SECTION 6: TRAINING AND COMMUNITY AWARENESS

This section provides an overview of the current situation regarding disaster management training and community awareness programmes. It proposes a framework for the development of comprehensive disaster management training and community awareness strategies and programmes.

 

6.1.  THE CURRENT SITUATION

Currently, disaster management training and community awareness activities are poorly coordinated. There are no comprehensive strategies and programmes and no coherent and coordinated needs analyses have been undertaken.

There are huge disparities in the setting of standards for formal and informal disaster management training, primarily due to the lack of national guidelines or standards. There is also no independent monitoring structure for the evaluation of disaster management training material.

Existing informal training and community awareness programmes emphasise disaster response and recovery actions. Little or no attention is paid to potential hazards, particularly those faced by vulnerable communities, and what can be done to mitigate their impact.

The challenge is to develop strategies and programmes that address current needs and shortcomings.

6.2.  A FRAMEWORK FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT TRAINING AND COMMUNITY AWARENESS PROGRAMMES

6.2.1.  Objectives

Training and community awareness programmes should achieve the following objectives:

  • Formal and informal training programmes should be developed and prioritised in accordance with the recommendations of the training needs analyses.

  • Training and community awareness creation should be an inclusive, cross-sectoral process involving policymakers, government officials, local leaders, NGOs, communities and the private sector.

  • Existing training and community awareness initiatives should be strengthened.

  • Minimum standards should be established for training material and training institutions.

  • Training programmes, community awareness courses and training institutions should be registered.

  • Research should be undertaken on programmes that deal with disaster management and risk reduction.

6.2.2.  Needs analyses

Comprehensive needs analyses should be urgently undertaken. These should identify and examine the following:

  • The training needs of the various role players.

  • Available disaster management skills and the extent to which they can be integrated into existing training programmes.

  • Formal training programmes offered by institutions, the extent to which they can be improved and made accessible, and whether they focus on risk reduction as well as emergency response.

  • Current environmental management courses to ensure that disaster management is included in environmental impact assessment training.

  • The type of personnel and training needed for all aspects of disaster management, particularly risk reduction.

  • Existing training material, as well as community awareness material, in South Africa and the Southern African region with a view to adapting and updating it to meet local needs.

  • Current training institutions, organisations and other groups.

  • Current certification requirements.

  • The need for collaborative and wider regional training and education programmes for the Southern African region.

6.2.3.  Target groups

Disaster management training should be made available to all relevant role players, including the following:

  • Policy makers.
  • Professionals involved in disaster management and those from related disciplines.
  • NGOs and community organisations.
  • The general public.
  • Educational institutions, including schools.
  • Line function departments at the national, provincial and local levels of government.
  • Trainers, educators and researchers.
  • Business and industry, including the agricultural sector.

6.2.4.  Training for key target groups

(i) Training of government officials and policy makers

This training should include planning, prevention, risk reduction, hazards and preparedness.

The training of municipal councillors and officials should take place within the national training and education framework provided for by the Skills Development Act, the Skills Development Levies Act and the National Qualifications Act.

This legislative framework will have a direct bearing on the qualifications and career paths of officials involved in disaster management.

(ii) Professional training

Aspects of disaster management should be integrated into existing programmes for personnel in emergency and essential services. These would include the police, defence force, nursing staff, doctors, engineers, ambulance personnel, fire-fighters and others.

(iii) Training of trainers

This training should strengthen and develop trainers in the field of disaster management, who can transfer improved skills and knowledge.

(iv) Community-based training

Training in communities should focus on improving risk awareness, risk reduction, general awareness and preparedness. Communities should, however, be given the opportunity to enhance training programmes through their own experiences, traditional knowledge, practices and values.

(v) Development of curricula for schools

Disaster management training should be integrated into primary and secondary school curricula. The risk reduction component of disaster management training should be tied into broader education on development and the environment. Schools should be regarded as a focal point for improving awareness.

(vi) Formal training

Programmes offered by training institutions, such as technikons and universities, should be updated in line with the recommendations of the needs analyses.

(vii) Training of volunteers

Special training programmes should be developed for people interested in volunteering their services. These programmes should address issues such as mitigation, prevention, vulnerability assessments and greater awareness of risks and hazards, as well as general preparedness and response.

6.2.5.  Standards setting

Appropriate minimum standards should be set by the relevant role players. These role players should include the Department of Labour, the Department of Education, the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), provincial government, the centre, NGOs and the relevant representatives from the private and public sectors.

Such standards must, however, comply with the South Africa Qualifications Authority Act, which provides for a National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The NQF, in turn, provides for the registration of national standards and qualifications.

Standards should be set for, inter alia, the following:

  • Appointment of officials to disaster management posts at national, provincial and local level.
  • Training in disaster management of government officials, emergency personnel and essential service providers.
  • Training of volunteers.
  • The training programmes of institutions, such as technikons and universities.
  • Informal training in communities.
  • Certified training in communities.
  • Training and awareness programmes run by NGOs.

6.2.6.  Training material

Training material should be designed for decision-makers and government officials. The materials should be based on the principles that underpin the White Paper on Local Government, as well as the provisions of the Skills Development Act, the Skills Development Levies Act and the National Qualifications Act.

The contents of the training material should cover a wide range of functions and skills, including the following:

  • Planning
  • Risk reduction
  • Day-to-day management activities
  • Coordination strategies
  • Logistics
  • Crisis management activities
  • Recovery
  • Specialist skills in rescue, first aid, vulnerability assessment, emergency housing and feeding, relief and welfare, communications and information management.

6.2.7.  Accreditation and registration

An accreditation and registration system should be established to ensure that all training undertaken by specialist agencies, trainers, training institutions, NGOs, and the private and public sectors complies with the minimum standards.

Guidelines should be developed for the registration of trainers, training institutions and organisations. These guidelines should ensure cost-effective and quality training. Approved training courses and programmes should be recognised.

6.2.8.  Resource base

A central resource base should be established to supply information on accredited and registered programmes and training agencies. This is an integral component of the general information management function of the centre (see Section 3).

6.2.9.  Research

Ongoing research into all aspects of disaster management should be undertaken. The emphasis should be on researching communities "at risk", monitoring systems and international experience. Research initiatives should build on the existing skills and knowledge of communities and other experts in the field. This will ensure sustainable and cost-effective solutions.

6.2.10.  International cooperation

Disaster management curricula must be developed and certified to establish joint standards of practice across the Southern African Development Community. This is necessary to ensure uniformity in standards of humanitarian and mitigation practice in the region.

There is also a need to liaise with the international disaster management community. This will provide access to information on developments in monitoring and warning systems, operational centres, equipment and other resources.

 

How to read the White Paper | Foreword by the Minister of Provincial Affairs and Constitutional Development | Section 1: Introduction | Section 2: Setting the context  | Section 3: The National Disaster Management Centre | Section 4: Funding disaster management | Section 5: A national Disaster Management Act  | Section 6: Training and community awareness | Section 7: Conclusion | Appendices | The drafting team and acknowledgements 

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