Shuvra Deb: With You

34. Dani Coleman - Hazard Management Cayman Islands

Episode Summary

On today’s show, I talk to the wonderful Dani Coleman of Hazard Management Cayman Islands.

Episode Notes

On today’s show, I talk to the wonderful Dani Coleman of Hazard Management Cayman Islands. 

TRIGGER WARNING

The 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:
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:46 Introduction to Dani Coleman
00:03:20 Breadth of work done by Hazard Management
00:04:31 Preparedness before a hurricane, and the importance of preparedness for the aftermath
00:05:45 Steps to take in order to prepare for a disaster
00:07:11 Red Cross CERT Training and other disaster training available for all
00:11:43 The need to pre-assess potential danger-zones 
00:13:50 Disaster recovery work 
00:16:42 Mental health and post-disaster symptoms
00:18:25 Integrating mental health into first response work
00:18:34 CAYMIND in the Cayman Islands 
00:19:18 Resilience training before a disaster 
00:23:50 Different qualities of different hurricanes – don’t anchor to a previous storm experience
00:24:45 Storm surge the most damaging and life threatening aspect of a hurricane 
00:25:54 Building codes and earthquakes 
00:28:14 Some of the toughest challenges in Dani’s career
00:30:08 Seeking professional help and Critical Incident Debrief by trained professionals post-disaster 
00:31:31 Out of character behavior and mental health 
00:32:30 Rewarding aspects of Dani’s work
00:36:48 Elephants helping in rescue after the Tsunami in Thailand
00:39:24 Mental health and finding ways to cope after a disaster 
00:43:14 Re-integration of first responders after a disaster and awareness of the need for help
00:45:40 Buddying up with someone to develop resilience 
00:47:00 Other practical steps for planning for emergencies 
00:48:34 Planning for a house fire and other emergencies 
00:52:35 Cayman Prepared and other resources
00:53:08 Climate adaption and climate policy 
00:56:35 Importance of preparing early – know as much as you can about the situation
00:57:08 Getting involved in disaster recovery work
00:59:18 Cayman Islands Hazard Management contact details 
01:00:04 Conclusions 

Online resources:
Hazard Management Cayman Islands: https://www.caymanprepared.gov.ky 

Note:
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: 
Dani Coleman: Danielle.coleman@gov.ky and hmci@gov.ky
Reach out to me with your comments on my show here: shuvradeb82@gmail.com