34. Dani Coleman - Hazard Management Cayman Islands

On today’s show, I talk to the wonderful Dani Coleman of Hazard Management Cayman Islands. TRIGGER WARNINGThe discussion today includes details of natural disasters and disaster recovery. Tune in to learn about the great work done by Hazard Management Cayman Islands, and for tips on how to prepare for a disaster. Listen in to learn about how you can get involved with disaster recovery work to help others who have experienced a disaster. Dani talks about the work she did in Thailand in 2004 after the Tsunami, and in the British Virgin Islands in 2017 after Hurricane Irma. We also discuss some of the mental health issues that can come up in situations where there has been a disaster. This episode is packed full of useful tips and interesting stories! Topics:<br />00:00:00 Intro<br />00:01:46 Introduction to Dani Coleman<br />00:03:20 Breadth of work done by Hazard Management<br />00:04:31 Preparedness before a hurricane, and the importance of preparedness for the aftermath<br />00:05:45 Steps to take in order to prepare for a disaster<br />00:07:11 Red Cross CERT Training and other disaster training available for all<br />00:11:43 The need to pre-assess potential danger-zones <br />00:13:50 Disaster recovery work <br />00:16:42 Mental health and post-disaster symptoms<br />00:18:25 Integrating mental health into first response work<br />00:18:34 CAYMIND in the Cayman Islands <br />00:19:18 Resilience training before a disaster <br />00:23:50 Different qualities of different hurricanes – don’t anchor to a previous storm experience<br />00:24:45 Storm surge the most damaging and life threatening aspect of a hurricane <br />00:25:54 Building codes and earthquakes <br />00:28:14 Some of the toughest challenges in Dani’s career<br />00:30:08 Seeking professional help and Critical Incident Debrief by trained professionals post-disaster <br />00:31:31 Out of character behavior and mental health <br />00:32:30 Rewarding aspects of Dani’s work<br />00:36:48 Elephants helping in rescue after the Tsunami in Thailand<br />00:39:24 Mental health and finding ways to cope after a disaster <br />00:43:14 Re-integration of first responders after a disaster and awareness of the need for help<br />00:45:40 Buddying up with someone to develop resilience <br />00:47:00 Other practical steps for planning for emergencies <br />00:48:34 Planning for a house fire and other emergencies <br />00:52:35 Cayman Prepared and other resources<br />00:53:08 Climate adaption and climate policy <br />00:56:35 Importance of preparing early – know as much as you can about the situation<br />00:57:08 Getting involved in disaster recovery work<br />00:59:18 Cayman Islands Hazard Management contact details <br />01:00:04 Conclusions Online resources:<br />Hazard Management Cayman Islands: https://www.caymanprepared.gov.ky Note:<br />Whilst this show is about raising mental health awareness, I am not a medical doctor and am not qualified to give mental health advice. If you are experiencing any mental health issues, please consult a qualified professional. The “Shuvra Deb: With You” Podcast is inspired and brought to you by Shuvra Deb. Copyright Shuvra Deb © Contact: <br />Dani Coleman: Danielle.coleman@gov.ky and hmci@gov.ky<br />Reach out to me with your comments on my show here: shuvradeb82@gmail.com