DMT 122 (Community Preparedness) will cover the design and development of programmes leading to the formation of disaster-resistant communities, as well as sociological and political perspectives in relation to disaster management.

The course, which will be for three credits, will also help students identify and select general public educational and preparedness programmes and strategies to reduce hazard impact.

Deputy Director of the College’s Virgin Gorda Centre, Steve Lennard, who designed the course, noted that the field of disaster management is becoming increasingly important as governments and industries seek to ensure that there is minimal damage, rapid response capability and return to normalcy after natural or manmade disasters.

The course is part of the College’s curriculum for the Certificate of Achievement in Disaster Management, which is designed as a multidisciplinary and integrated programme to focus on the principles of preparedness, response mitigation and recovery. Participants in the programme are able to use the qualification as a starting point in disaster management studies and careers, or to augment their expertise in other relevant areas of service.

On the other hand, the Associate Degree in Disaster Management is designed to accommodate those students who wish to continue their studies beyond the Certificate of Achievement level. The Associate programme articulates with the Bachelor of Science Degree in Emergency Administration Management offered by Arkansas Technical University.

Programme Officer at the Barbados-based Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, Evangeline Inniss, will serve as facilitator for the course.

Ms. Inniss will bring to the students her experience at CDEMA, as well as her knowledge from attending numerous regional seminars and workshops on disaster risk reduction, the elderly in disasters, leadership and strategic planning, logistics supply management, work programme development, project management, and total quality management and process analysis.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Kansas State University, and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Health Science from the University of Alabama. She also holds other qualifications in supervisory management, business management and business administration.

Interested students may contact Mr. Lennard at the Virgin Gorda Centre, tel. 852-7122, email slennard@hlscc.edu.vg, or the Office of the Registrar at the Paraquita Bay Campus, tel. 852-7226, email registrar@hlscc.edu.vg.