Teaching Methods for Addressing Future Students Assignments

Leslie Little C.E.M.A. At-risk Safety Trainer and EducatorHELPU Fire Life SafetyWilliamsburg, Va. Graduate student IEM Program Jacksonville State University

Issues of Concern for Safety Educators and How Schooling Programs can Address these Issues

o Require Foreign Language proficiency in Curriculum

o Behavioral Sciences study component on Ethnic Populations

o Sociology component in study curriculumo Expanded Disaster Psychology study in

curriculum

City of Oakland, California began the first all Chinese CERT team. They are continuing with the program and have begun additional CERT training programs for more neighborhoods that are Chinese speaking.

Also in Oakland, California and in a few other cities nationwide there are now Spanish speaking CERT teams.

BENEFITSCollaboration and Cooperation with non-English

speaking cultural groups that are now prepared and self-sustaining.

DHS needs employees proficient in at least one foreign language.

Employment is focusing on foreign language proficiency as a necessary component to employment and promotions.

Illegal and Immigrant populations are not going to leave the United States.

Additional refugees and people granted visas and entry into America is continuing.

Ethnic populations are diverse –They are close-knit and have been taught

methods and mannerisms that can and do conflict at times with standard policies in force.

Elders are the leaders and the communities (most populations) adhere to the role of authority of the elders.

Many ethnic populations have a deep mistrust and fear of all government authority.

Hierarchy structuring within various Middle-eastern cultures and Asian cultures. Paternal or Maternal hierarchy Conceptual understandings of disasters per

ethnic grouping Cultural barriers to Mitigation strategies Cultural beliefs pertaining to authority

personnel

A study of multi-cultural beliefs especially pertaining to family values and religious beliefs is imperative.

Hispanic and Latina cultures are deeply spiritual and believe in the teachings of their religious elders.

Understanding of various religious beliefs i.e. Buddhist, Muslim, Naturalist, Amish etc., are necessary to understanding what can be perceived as a danger to life.

Internship and interaction with ethnic community centers as student not instructor.

Cultural training with elders of the community.

Guest lecturers from culture groups to teach cultural biases and beliefs.

Adaptations to policies to include and use ethnic cultural practices.

Collaboration with cultural groups.

Prepared by Leslie Little C.E.M.A. , At-risk Safety Trainer, specializing in multi-cultural, ethnic, and vulnerable populations.

Prepared for EMI Higher Education Conference.

Graduate student –Jacksonville State University