Not Your Average TOF!

ECB agencies recently had an experience to become facilitators of the Simulation Tool developed this year.  This was the second Training of Facilitators, the first of which was held in June in downtown Baltimore.  This second TOF was hosted by Save the Children in Tbilisi, Georgia.  There was one major difference in this event compared to the Baltimore experience.  We added 2 extra days to actually give the newbies a chance to utilize the tool in a real simulation.  Brave participants came from 6 of the IWG agencies to experience a simulated earthquake response. 

 

Comments following the event were not surprising to us. Many were shocked about how chaotic it was.  Others learned about tools such as SPHERE.  Some recognized that it became apparent how important, but also how difficult coordination is.  I think this was an eye opening experience for the participants.  Even though this was meant to give the facilitators the experience in running a sim, the country offices also walked away with a learning experience.  We, as newbie facilitators, were very pleased.

 

The facilitators also learned many things. We discovered that 22 facilitators are not necessary to conduct a simulation! Although there were "too many cooks in the kitchen," we did manage to pull off a fairly coordinated event.  We also learned that much care and sensitivity must be utilized if we are to P and G someone from the country.  Another point of importance is the weight given to the Training Needs Assessment.  The simulation must be relevant to the training needs of program staff.  These are just a couple of learning points.  Many others would be able to add much greater detail!

 

As interagency processes continue, the learning from each other and willingness to work together still amazes me.  Once again, it has been such a pleasure to work with all of you!

 

Charlie Ehle

Emergency Response Specialist

Catholic Relief Services

228 W. Lexington Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

Office: 001-410-951-7214

 

Read more...