Training

Training
Disaster Relief Volunteer Training
Disaster Relief Volunteer TrainingOne of the key lessons learnt from the 2011 disaster is that volunteers can provide a major impact in disaster response, if properly trained and organized. To prepare and empower citizens to respond as volunteers in the wake of disasters, PBV began implementing the Disaster Relief Volunteer Training Program across the country in November 2011. This is a comprehensive program consisting of 4 components:

  • Disaster Relief Volunteer Training (Seminar, 3.5 hours) – 2337 people trained
  • Disaster Relief Volunteer Certification (Online, 45 minutes) – 565 people trained
  • Disaster Relief Volunteer Leader Training course (Intensive Workshop, 2 days) – 569 people trained
  • “Skill-up” Workshops (Advanced level) – 106 people trained
(All figures accurate as of February 2015)

These training sessions are held across Japan on a regular basis, and are designed to be accessible to anyone, regardless of background, experience or age. Whilst PBV organizes these training sessions for the general public, we also regularly hold customized sessions for corporations, universities, Social Welfare Councils and other civil society organizations.

Household Disaster Preparedness Training
This workshop aims to engage, educate and prepare families for future disasters through a 90-minute training session. In this interactive workshop, trainers cover the fundamentals (theoretical and practical skills/knowledge) in how to survive and help family/community members during the first 72 hours of a disaster. With guidance from the workshop trainer, participants formulate a disaster plan for their whole family which is specific to their community/neighbourhood and can be used in times of disaster. PBV has trained over 1000 households in disaster preparedness through this program.
Community Emergency Aid Capacity Building
After the Great East Japan Earthquake, Ishinomaki City became a model case for disaster volunteerism as many stakeholder groups worked together to manage and coordinate over 300,000 volunteers. Government, civil and private sector actors collaborated to effectively coordinate disaster volunteers in an unprecedented show of multi-sector cooperation. This workshop and accompanying workbook are based on the experiences of Ishinomaki citizens who were actually involved in the post-tsunami response. Learning from real-life case studies and testimonies, this program serves to empower local communities and enhance their ability to coordinate external assistance in disaster time.
Disaster Prevention Education
Disaster Prevention EducationPBV gives talks and seminars on the topics of the Great East Japan Earthquake, disaster volunteerism and other issues related to disaster risk reduction, as well as exhibiting booths at a variety of events. In the 2013/2014 fiscal year, PBV delivered over 50 talks and seminars at schools, universities, conferences and events across the country.

Networks

Corporate Volunteer Network (CVN)
Corporate Volunteer Network (CVN) is a network of corporations, NGOs/NPOs, and intermediary organizations that are engaged in the recovery of areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. Meetings are conducted every 2 months to promote and strengthen cross-sector relations and to establish a multi-stakeholder platform to enhance Disaster Risk Reduction capacities. Over 100 companies and organizations have actively participated in the network as we continue to assist disaster-affected areas and work together to build disaster resilient communities. CVN has also published a booklet on disaster relief, which serves as a guide for private sector groups to contribute effectively in times of disaster.
CVN Homepage: http://cvnet.jp/
CVN’s Coordinating Organizations: PBV, IBM Japan, Sanofi, Nippon Foundation, Just Giving Japan & On the Road
Japan CSO Coalition for 2015 WCDRR (JCC2015)
Japan CSO Coalition for 2015 WCDRR (JCC2015)JCC2015 is a coalition of over 100 civil society organizations working toward the 3rd United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, to be held in March 2015 in Sendai, Japan. The coalition aims to share the experiences and lessons learnt from the Great East Japan Earthquake with the international community and hopes to contribute to the building of disaster resilient communities worldwide. PBV is coordinating with private, government and civil sector stakeholders such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cabinet Office, Sendai City, and the UNISDR (United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction). Also, as a member of JCC2015’s Secretariat, PBV is taking an active role in the establishment of the HFA2 (Hyogo Framework for Action 2), the international framework for disaster risk reduction, in the build-up towards the conference.
JCC2015 Homepage: http://jcc2015.net/en/
JCC2015’s Secretariat: PBV, JANIC, Fukushima Beacon for Global Citizens Network & CWS Japan

Disaster Prevention & Community Development

The “Ishinomaki City Recovery Vision” project is created by a range of stakeholders including NGO staff, city planners, architecture professionals and local business owners. PBV is involved in this project, as well as many other similar inter-sector partnerships, to pool resources from different stakeholder groups and create a stronger, more resilient and prosperous community. It is especially important for a city that has suffered from the 2011 disaster for the residents to protect themselves by carrying out risk assessments, organizing emergency drills, and other activities that boost the communities’ resilience levels. PBV also conducts “Town Walks” and Hazard Mapping exercises to help communities recognize their risks and vulnerabilities. “Ishinomaki City Recovery Vision” Project: http://www.ishi-machikyou.com/fukko-vision.pdf Committee Members of the Town Development Association: Compact City Ishinomaki, Mirai Support Ishinomaki
Disaster Prevention & Community Development