Education and Training

Programs

Training and exercises for disaster preparedness and response must be realistic. Clear training objectives must be stated and evaluations to assess if the objectives were met. 

Different training types or methods can be used to train EMS personnel in disaster preparedness and response.  Passive learning initiatives include lectures, seminars, reading, and researching sources.  Active learning initiatives include table top exercises, field exercises (limited and full-scale), and hands-on practice.

In addition to various training exercises internal to specific organizations, state emergency management and homeland security offices typically offer a wide variety of training for everything from preparing citizens to assist during a disaster to giving first responders more indepth information about biological agents. Often, this information can be found on the state’s official calendar.

Grant Assistance

Funding for the implementation of disaster preparedness and response initiatives for EMS is widely available, from federal agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and for-profit organizations. The types and amounts of funding varies with each organization. Courses are available for the proposal-writing process required by some grant applications.