Formation of the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine Oceania Chapter: Process, Lessons Learned, and the Future

Abstract

Introduction:

The World Association for Disater and Emergency Medicine (WADEM) Oceania Regional Chapter is the first WADEM Chapter to be formed. This paper describes the journey experienced in the formation of this Chapter.

Methods:

This is a descriptive, historical review.

Results:

The Chapter had its origins in WADEM's 13th World Congress in Melbourne (2003). In Edinburgh (2005), the WADEM General Assembly approved the establishment of Chapters to promote both the discipline and WADEM activities. WADEM Vice President, Professor Frederick (Skip) Burkle Jr, led the development of guidelines for establishing WADEM Chapters, which were considered by the WADEM Board in Amsterdam (2007) and subsequendy approved by the WADEM Officers in August 2007.

Three “Chapter co-sponsors”, later expanded to a steering group of five to include members from Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Island Nations, led the process. Three constituting meetings were conducted by teleconference, the general geography of the Oceania region defined, and draft Chapter Charter and Chapter bylaws were distributed for input from WADEM members in the region. The Chapter was launched in November 2008.

Nominations for the inaugural Chapter Council have been called in advance of an election to be finalized in February 2009. The first Chapter Council will meet before the WADEM World Congress in Victoria, Canada (May, 2009). The Council has a list of activities proposed in the constituting meetings, upon which to base an initial strategy plan for the young Chapter.

The WADEM Chapter guidelines have been most useful and the concept of Chapter co-sponsors has proved essential. Enthusiasm in the region has been promoted by the formation of the Chapter and membership in WADEM increased.

Conclusions:

The model and process experienced in the Oceania region may prove useful for other potential WADEM Chapters. Experience to date would suggest that WADEM Chapters are viable, achievable, and useful in promoting WADEM and its members.