Professional Development for Disasters - Gibbs Reflection Cycle - Example

Professional Development for Disasters Student’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Course Code: Date of Submission: Introduction The professional development for disasters management is an important skill that helps an individual to develop better strategies that can help to manage the issues of environment (Drabek 1991). In this reflective essay, I will discuss the skills and experience gained during the volcano top-table exercise and a field visit to Sicily which is the largest island in Mediterranean. The climate in the Sicily is unique according to the site visit. In this regard, this essay will discuss the skills and experience gained during the two exercises. The model of reflection that will be applied in this case is Gibb’s reflection cycle. Gibb’s reflective model According to Gibb’s model of reflection, the critical reflection takes three main dimensions. The first dimension is the experience gained during the visit and this includes the safety measures that were taken during the visit so as to avoid the incidences of accidents. For instance, the event will be discussed and safety measures that were taken during the volcano table-top exercise. The next dimension is the reflection that helps to unpick the events (The Open University 2012). Finally, the Gibb’s model of reflection concludes by presenting the learning experiences learnt and the measures can be taken in future to manage the issues learnt. This model can be indicated by the figure below; (The Open University 2012) Volcano, table-top exercise Experience Volcano is the exercise when the hot materials from the underneath arise and leak into the crust. The hot material that arises from the ground is the magma which eventually erupts into the service. The global scientists have the responsibility of monitoring the shape of the volcano before the eruption and provide necessary information regarding the possible disasters. In addition, the volcano forms because of the hot spots found in the lithosphere and also happen because of the subduction that occurs around the lithosphere (Windows to the Universe 2010). Leading the groups to the volcano table-top exercise entails effective leadership skills. The main leadership skills that were employed in order to lead the groups effectively include consultation and leading by example as well as employing safety measures during the visit to the site. The events that took place include planning and collecting relevant information before undertaking the Volcano table-top exercise. This can be indicated by the diagram below. (Windows to the Universe 2010) In addition, we experienced the process of volcanic eruption. The process of volcanic eruption starts when the lower crust melts and forms the magma. The main factors that lead to volcanic eruption include buoyancy of the magma and the pressure that is from the exsolved gases in the magma. We were able to identify that the earth rock melts and its volume increase. As a result, the volume produces a less dense melt as compared to the surrounding rock leading to volcanic activities. We also experienced during the visit that lava during the volcanic eruptions flows into different directions. The lava flows during the explosive lava fountains. When the lava flows, we were able to understand that lava destroys everything on the way. However, the speed at which lava flows is slowly and people can move out of their way. It was determined that lava can flow as far as tens of kilometers and where the lava flows through causes a path since it destroys everything. The diagram below indicates the lava flow; (USGS 2012) Reflection From the experience I gained by leading the groups to the volcano table-top exercise, I must say I have developed effective leadership skills. In the first place, I gained team working experience. This is because leading the teams was not easy and I had to consult on professionals on how to lead the teams successfully. Initially, I was not able to lead teams effectively by ensuring the team members work together (Tittemore 2003). However, after leading the teams successfully, I am now able to lead the teams effectively by ensuring that the team members are jointly included in decision making so that they can understand the goals and objectives. This is because I led the groups to understand the purpose of our visit to the volcano table–top exercise and visit to Sicily. On the other hand, during the exercise I leant the strategic planning skills. This is because the exercise to volcano table–top was not an easy task and it was therefore important to strategically plan for the exercise. As the leader, I developed the skills of assessing the exercise and the risks associated with visiting the volcano table–top. One of the risks that were identified was lava flow (Tittemore 2003). However as a leader, I took the initiative to evaluate the risks and measures to take. One of the measures was to avoid walking along the path where the lava flows. In this context, I developed the skill of strategic planning which is important and required by a leader. In addition, the volcano table–top exercise was associated with many risks. One of the risks includes volcanic activities that lead to lava flow. Using the risk assessment sheet, I was able to develop the risk management skills (Miner 2005). Before the visit to the site, as a leader I developed the skill of identifying the possible risks and mitigation strategies like avoiding walking along the path where lava flows. At the end, we managed to implement the exercise effectively and as the leader I can say that I was able to lead the groups effectively. Further, during the exercise to volcano table–top I was able to develop the motivation skills. At first, the groups were not motivated to take the exercise. This is because they were thinking that the exercise will be risky. However, as the leader I was able to lead the groups by ensuring that the teams were motivated. As a way of motivating the groups, I did some research and through guidance from the tour guides I was able to motivate the staff about the good features of the exercise and how they will benefit (Miner 2005). This motivated the groups and together they took the exercise seriously. In this context, I developed motivation leadership skills. Furthermore, it is not easy to guide groups alone. This means that in any team there has to be effective delegation of duties. These groups were not exceptional and I had the responsibility of ensuring that there is effective delegation of duties so that there will be effective commitment among the group members (Lussier & Achua 2010). I was able to delegate the duties to the group members including the problem solve role and group respondents as well as the tour guide. These roles played an important role in ensuring that the groups engaged in team working. In this regard, I developed the skill of delegating duties effectively so as to gain commitment from the team group members. Moreover, through the volcano table–top exercise I developed my time management skills. This is because the exercises had limited time and had to be completed. The groups had two weeks to be executed and within the duration as a leader I had the responsibility of ensuring that the exercise has been organized effectively (Lussier & Achua 2010). I used time schedules to organize for the tasks and time to be taken for each task. In this context, I developed the time management skills. However, at first I had no effective skills to manage time effectively. With consultation with the experts, I developed effective time management skills using action plans and schedules. In addition, I also gained the experience in understanding that volcanic activities can lead to Tsunamis. This is because of the eruption that occurs in the Seas that cause displacement of water leading to Tsunamis. We developed the skills of understanding the safety measures that can be taken to manage the deaths as a result of Tsunamis like displacing the people who live along the coastal regions so that incase of any Tsunami the communities will not be affected (Windows to the Universe 2010). We also leant during the volcanic table-top exercise that volcanic activity can lead to landslides. This is because as the lava flow down it can be solidified and modified and this can influence the shape of the landscape (McElreath et al 2014). However, the high temperatures can affect the lava which can cause destabilization leading to overflow. This leads to landslides affecting the ecosystems as well as deaths. Learning The first skill that I leant during the exercises includes safety measures that can be taken to manage the disasters caused by the volcanic activities. In order to manage the earthquakes, it is important to plan in advance and gather emergency supplies at home so that when there are earthquakes it is possible to conduct the rescue exercises. I will put these skills leant into practice. This will help to manage the effects of the earthquakes (McElreath et al 2014). In addition, I also learnt that earthquakes can be managed by taking serious the warnings which are given by the scientists. In addition, we also leant that the tourists and other individuals should stay away from getting closer to the sources of gaseous or the discharge of lava. When this discharge occurs, it will not find people close to it as this will cause fatalities (Robock 2000). These professional development skills gained regarding the disasters will be put in practice in our subsequent visit to the sites as well as in our dwelling areas to help in managing the disasters that can take place. Field trip to Sicily Sicily is considered the largest island in the Mediterranean and the island is considered as one of the richest in terms of history and art. The climate of Sicily is based on the experience of the art and culture. Despite the attractiveness of the island, there are issues affecting its existence. For instance, the human settlement has led to climate changes in the island for human settlement (Zainoo 2015). There is also environmental pollution and this has affected the existence of the island. At Sicily, the biggest mountain that experiences volcanic activities is Mt Etna. The mountain undergoes various volcanic activities and hot lava flows down the mountain causing landslides as indicated in the figure below. (Giancluca 2013) On the other hand, Mt Etna is located near to the city of Catania in the island of Sicily. When there are volcanic activities in the Mt Etna, there are landslides which affect the people living in the slopes of the mountain in the city of Catania. The city of Catania city is indicated in the figure below; (Zainoo 2015) Experience Our field to the site helped to develop our professional development for risk management that helps to manage disasters thus promoting our preparedness for disasters. The Sicily Island has a range of mountains which are divided into three groups according to the site visit that was made (Zainoo 2015). The first range of mountains is Peloritani and Nebrodi as well as Madonie. At the middle of the island there are rolling hills which are attractive. During our visit to Sicily Island, we managed to understand the events that take place at the island. These events that take place in the island affect the environment of the island and if appropriate measures cannot be taken, the environment at the island is likely to be affected thus cannot sustain the human life effectively (Zainoo 2015). During our visit, I experienced that Sicily comprises of predominately agricultural activities. Three quarters of the island is comprised of agricultural activities thus most of the land is being cleared to expand the land for cultivation. However, tourism is also slowly getting better due to better infrastructure (Zainoo 2015). Reflection Leading the students to the field trips to Sicily Island developed my professional development for disasters. In the first place, I developed the disaster management skill that infrastructure is the best strategy that can be employed to manage the disasters during the volcanic activities. For instance, good communication and transport network is important as it helps to rescue the people when there is disaster like volcanic activities (Tilling & Swanson1990). I also developed the skill of disaster management by assessing the ways people living in the island manage the effects of the volcanic activities. The Island is well known for its volcanic activities and this is because Sicily exists in the midst of the Mediterranean seas. The effects of the volcanic activities include landslides (Zainoo 2015). However, with the field trip, I developed the skills of managing the disasters. I realized that people in the island adhere to the warning regarding the volcanic activities and they move to safer places by the meteorologists. In this context, I developed the skill of disaster preparedness. Furthermore, I understood the effects of vegetation on the environment. Due to large number of migrants to the island, the land has been cleared for settlement. This has affected the ecosystems since the natural resources have been exploited. This leads to environmental pollution. The end impact is that there will be landslides during winter as well as rainfall patterns keep changing. Heavy rainfall takes place during winter because the vegetation has been cleared and the soil has been left bare (Wilkinson et al 2009). This leads to disasters like global warming. Learning From the field trip, I leant various disaster preparedness skills. In the first place, I leant that I should always take precautionary measures to ensure that incase the disaster occurs it will find that I am prepared. For instance, during winter I should move to higher grounds so that I will not be affected by the floods which can otherwise lead to death (Wilkinson et al 2009). This will help to prepare for the possible disasters. In addition, I leant from the field trip that I should not clear all vegetation as a leader as it is important to preserve the environmental climate. This is from the personal point of view regarding the environmental issues. For instance, vegetation helps to manage global warming as well as being a source of rain that can help to produce sustainable food products (Wilkinson et al 2009). This has helped to develop my personal disaster preparedness regarding the food sustainability. In future, I will ensure that I will not clear all vegetation as it helps to promote environmental sustainability. Furthermore, I leant that floods disaster can be managed by building houses on higher grounds and away from the lava ways. This means that when the volcanic activities occur and the lava flows, it will not find people on its way as this will cause damage (Wilkinson et al 2009). In this effect, I leant that people should build their houses and walk away from places where volcanic activities are likely to occur or where the volcanic activities normally occur. This will help to manage the fatalities when lava flows. Conclusion Professional development for disasters is a learning experience that helps to prepare an individual to develop disaster management skills. In this case, the exercise of Volcano table-top helped to develop my critical thinking skills and the safety measures that can be taken to manage the disasters that can take place during volcanic activities. These measures include taking precautions effectively and avoid walking in the path of the lava flows as well as staying away from flow of molten lava. Living in higher grounds from the water runways will help to reduce the disasters of flooding during winter. In this regard, I have developed appropriate skills in managing disasters and I am prepared to manage future disasters. 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