FIU immerses students and participants in disaster response simulation

Today the Academy for International Disaster Preparedness (AIDP) at FIU kicked off its 8^th annual Disaster Field Course Simulation in an effort to train more than 120 participants, including students and individuals from participating agencies and nongovernmental organizations, on how to coordinate a disaster response. The simulation will continue through July 17, 2023, at FIU’s Biscayne Bay Campus, and take participants through the stages of a disaster operation.
 
“As one of the largest public universities in the country and Top 15 in innovation, FIU is dedicated to the continuous improvement of disaster responses within our communities locally and globally,” said Javier I. Marques, Executive Director of AIDP, Vice President for Operations and Safety and FIU Chief of Staff. “With support from President Dr. Kenneth A. Jessell, Provost Elizabeth M. Bejar, our leadership team and Dean Tomás R. Guilarte, our FIU offers practical training events that help build and empower leaders in disaster management to provide innovative solutions and deliver exceptional value to communities worldwide.”

The simulation transported participants to the aftermath of Hurricane Marcia, a fictional Category 5 hurricane that devastated the Caribbean, a region that’s been pummeled by hurricanes in recent years. After setting up camp, participants worked together with participating government agencies, companies and nongovernmental organizations to survey the damage of impacted communities and identify humanitarian needs. Participants leveraged assets that are typically used in similar situations, such as helicopters and marine vessels, to help cross hard-to-reach areas.
 
“We learn through active disaster and through this simulation, FIU and our partners are preparing participants to succeed in the evolving world of disaster management,” said Dulce Suarez, Assistant Director of AIDP. “With the increase in natural and human made disasters, disaster management professionals must be ready at all times.” Suarez adds that the simulation helps build skills that can lead to more coordinated response efforts in the field.
 
Participating agencies include the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), U.S. Coast Guard, City of Miami Fire Rescue, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Miami-Dade Police Department, Florida Department of Health, Broward Sheriff’s Office, Department of Fire Rescue, Air Rescue Unit, DHL, and participating nongovernmental organizations such as Food For The Poor and Global Empowerment Mission (GEM).

“Participating in these disaster scenarios are key for our operators in the Miami-Dade Police Department and the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department,” said Freddy Ramirez, Chief of Public Safety and Emergency Response and Director of the Miami-Dade Police Department. “The more that we practice and train, the better we get. We can't wait for a disaster to come to learn on the job. You always have to be learning, always have to be preparing and making adjustments.”

AIDP offers the Disaster Field Course Simulation through its 11-month graduate degree program, offered in-person or online, to help develop and improve the skills of disaster practitioners and those interested in entering the field of disaster management. The program is ranked No. 4 by Best Accredited Colleges and No. 2 by OnlineMastersDegree.com. The program has graduated over 300 students since 2015.
 
“FIU’s disaster management program taught me lessons that I was immediately able to apply upon graduating,” said Nitza Dominguez, AIDP alumna. “The skills acquired allowed me to develop my agency’s response plan to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to address the safety and well-being of personnel working at the Surfside Building collapse and to deploy with the SE Region 7 All Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT) for Hurricane Ian.”