RWW June 12, 2019, Guest Dr. Greg Guannel “Creating a Storm Strong Virgin Island”

Conversation questions these are for reflection used for guidance only. The conversation takes on its own energy.

The first two are asked of all guests.

• What does wellness mean to you?
• What do you do to support wellness in your life, especially given your training and expertise. 

This conversation will explore areas of;
-Personal Hurricane Irma and Maria Journey, Origins of Storm Strong, Program components, and Thoughts About Upcoming Hurricane Season 

1. 1. You are a civil engineer born on the island of Martinique whose work has focused on environmental risk reduction. Yet, with your training, you are not immune from hurricane impacts. Please share the impact of Irmaria on you and your family. 
   2. What have learned about yourself that is helpful as you move forward in the recovery process and the start of hurricane season?
   3. Tell us about the Storm Strong Program and its origins?
   4. How did you have to adapt the program to pilot it in the VI?
   5. What do you think are the biggest mis-conceptions that people have about risks for families and the communities and how does the program address increasing knowledge and relevant information?
   6. We hear the word Preparedness a great deal. From the perspective of the program and research what does that mean?
   7. How have Storm Strong Program participants been responding to the information providing especially since this is a family focused process?
   8. Talk about what planning before, during and after a Storm night mean for a family like the one in the program?
   9. So much of what occurred after Irmaria and what persons continue to reflect on is the role of community coming together. Community projects and creative interventions are a core part of the workshop. What are your thoughts about the transfer of knowledge and how this model can be replicated across the territory?
   10. We have not talked much about the emotional/ psychological part of preparation for hurricanes/ storms. How is this part of the process address. I was grateful to share a brief presentation with participants at the first session.
   11. Share your vision for a Storm Strong VI?
   12. What can individuals, families and communities do know to begin to make that a reality? It is after all hurricane season.
   13. Share your contact information for follow up by our listeners, especially for those who may want to be part of the next workshop.

 Closing thoughts or words of encouragement to the audience. What’s the take away for those who are listening.