Micah Burgess
This course is a concise and practical introduction to a crucial but often neglected dimension of disaster resilience. It explains how relationships, trust, and community networks can dramatically improve emergency preparedness and response. The content is well-structured, moving from clear explanations of social capital to hands-on strategies for identifying networks, building trust, and enhancing communication. Ideal for emergency managers and community leaders, this course equips participants with tools to strengthen social ties and improve outcomes before, during, and after disasters.
Darryl Massey
This course offers a timely and essential perspective on how social capital can enhance disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. It provides a strong conceptual foundation—focusing on connectedness and shared predispositions—then builds toward highly practical strategies for applying these ideas in real-world emergency management settings.
Each module is thoughtfully structured: the first introduces core concepts; the second explores social capital’s relevance in disaster contexts; the third guides learners through network mapping, engagement, and communication strategies; and the fourth focuses on identifying local leaders and creating enabling environments for trust and cooperation.
What sets this course apart is its integration of theory with actionable tools—ideal for emergency professionals, community leaders, and policymakers. By the end, learners are equipped to build trust, improve engagement, and foster community resilience using social capital principles.
A must for anyone seeking a deeper, more community-centred approach to disaster and emergency management.
Perron S. Goodyear, MA – 20+ year EM Professional
I have often said that during the emergency is NOT the time to exchange business cards. It is much too late once the emergency or disaster has struck. The same can be said for social capital, the networks of relationships and mutual trust within communities, which must be built prior to an emergency. The Social Capital and Disaster Management Course provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of how social capital can be harnessed to improve disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. It equips participants with the skills to identify key community networks, engage influential leaders, and create strategic relationship maps that enhance emergency response effectiveness.
One of the most valuable aspects of the course is its focus on real-world implementation. It goes beyond abstract concepts by teaching strategies to overcome barriers to community engagement and develop trust between emergency management organizations and the people they serve. Whether you’re an emergency management professional, a community organizer, or simply someone interested in building resilience within your community, this course is a game-changer. The practical tools and strategies learned here will not only enhance disaster preparedness but also foster long-term relationships that strengthen overall community resilience. Highly recommended for anyone looking to make a tangible impact in disaster response and recovery efforts