SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION for Disaster Responders

Background:  SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION is a framework for achieving and maintaining a high level of disaster health and well-being.  “Disaster health” was introduced as a concept and discipline in Homeland Security Presidential Directive-21 (HSPD-21: National Strategy for Public Health and Medical Preparedness, 2007).  SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION follows the lead of HSPD-21 by integrating elements of disaster medical care, public health, and behavioral health within a single framework.

SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION uses the familiar structure of Goal, Strategies, Objectives, and Tactics:

• The GOAL of SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION is to achieve and maintain a high level of disaster health and well-being.
  
  
• SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION defines “disaster health” as, “Maximal safety, optimal function, and effective action in response to emergencies, disasters, and extreme events.”
  
  
• The Three Keys to Disaster Health are: SAFETY, FUNCTION, and ACTION.
  
  
• SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION revolves around a set of six STRATEGIES:
  • To secure SAFETY:  the strategies are SAFEGUARD and SUSTAIN.
  • To facilitate FUNCTION:  the strategies are COMFORT and CONNECT.
  • To aid ACTION: the strategies are ADVISE and ACTIVATE.
    

• The same six STRATEGIES apply to disaster responders and disaster survivors.
  
  
• Each strategy is addressed through a set of OBJECTIVES and corresponding TACTICS. 

SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION for Disaster Responders is a one-day training course (built upon the SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION framework) for individuals with a disaster response role, ranging from career responders to volunteer responders.

SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION for Disaster Responders is dually focused on disaster responders and the disaster survivors they serve.  Therefore, SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION for Disaster Responders also introduces two “Skills Sets”, a "PREPARE" SKILLS SET focused on responders, and a "RESPOND" SKILLS SET focused on support for survivors. 

The structure of SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION is summarized on the following diagram:  

For ease of training and real-world application, a single set of six strategies is applied to support disaster responders at the individual and team level, and to support disaster survivors.  The parallel sets of strategies are illustrated below:          

The framework of the SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION for Disaster Responders course is broadly adaptable to the training of persons who have a defined disaster role, ranging from first responders, to disaster-activated response professionals, to disaster volunteers. 

SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION for Disaster Responders: 30-100 participants per session
 

• Describe the building blocks that comprise the SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION framework.

• Acquire and practice the elements of the SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION PREPARE Skills Set.

• Apply SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Strategies for Responders to a range of disaster scenarios.

• Acquire and practice the elements of the SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION RESPOND Skills Set.

• Apply SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Strategies for Survivors to a range of disaster scenarios. 

• Practice the actions and activities that comprise the SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION PATHWAY during daily duties.

• SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Laminated Strategy, Objective & Tactic Handout (double-sided)
• SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Survivor Checklist Handout (double-sided)
• SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Flipbook
• SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Family Disaster Plan Guidebook
• SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Textbook
• SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION Hazard and Profession Specific Exercises (on-line)

James M. Shultz, MS, PhD
Director, Center for Disaster & Extreme Event Preparedness (DEEP Center)
Co-Director, Miami Center for Public Health Preparedness
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Miami, Florida

Andrea Allen, PhD, LMHC
Consultant
Associate Dean, College of Adult and Continuing Education
Barry University
Miami Shores, Florida

Drs. Shultz and Allen are the primary authors and creators of the SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION programs.

Throughout 2009 the SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION for Disaster Responders training will be offered upon request throughout the United States and Canada for audiences including public health, mental health, healthcare, public safety, and law enforcement professionals. 

To arrange a SAFETY FUNCTION ACTION for Disaster Responders training or series of trainings, please contact:

Jim Shultz
Deep Center Director
(305) 243-2206