Training

Based on our OSHA 1910.38 compliant Emergency Action Plan product, Decision Aid can provide an engaging training program for staff & volunteers at your facility on the appropriate actions to take during an emergency. Rather than overwhelm staff with instructions on every hazard possible at the facility (from avalanches to volcanoes), we focus the training around simple actions that may be utilized to save lives regardless of the hazard type. In addition to training staff on the actions of evacuation, sheltering-in-place, and workplace violence, we highlight employee notification systems, procedures for reporting an emergency, and medical operations.

Decision Aid crafts customized training programs for jurisdictions and organizations that have a responsibility for some level of incident management. Whether your jurisdiction has a small Emergency Operations Center in the closet of a community center or a sizable and technology-enhanced facility, our firm can provide critical training to all staff and volunteers that may be required to utilize it. Our training program focuses on emergency operations activation, documentation, information sharing, use of technology and geographic information systems, resource management/tracking, and team coordination. We also provide training to jurisdictions on effective incident and unified command operations for all sectors and disciplines. Enhance what you've learned in FEMA's Incident Command System training with our unique programs.

Keeping your business or organization from experiencing significant disruptions during a crisis requires an effective training program for all staff that have a role in your continuity efforts. After a review of your business continuity or continuity of operations plan, we tailor a training series incorporating all facets of your program including telework, alternate locations, information technology, devolution, human resources, critical systems, essential records, communications, orders of succession and delegations of authority procedures. We also can assist in identifying opportunities for cross-training for essential employees to enhance organizational redundancy and resiliency.

Most of Decision Aid's training programs are available virtually. Virtual training programs may reduce costs and increase staff training flexibility. Our team can provide instructor-driven interactive training through modern webinar tools or develop pre-recorded virtual programs available for access by employees at any time. Decision Aid also specializes in the development of hybrid training programs to balance staff availability constraints and the benefits of hands-on training modules. Contact our team to discuss options for bringing your emergency training program to the next level.

Organizations with an emergency role beyond their typical day-to-day responsibilities must have a competency-based training program to perform during crisis. Whether your School Department is required to manage shelter operations or your Public Works Department handles debris management during a crisis, Decision Aid can develop a training program to meet any need. In addition to providing classroom & hands-on courses around a large number of emergency support functions, we can create a continuing education schedule using free & existing online resources. Have Decision Aid prepare your team for a tabletop or full-scale exercise with a refresher training on any crisis management topic.

Position-specific training is believed by many to be one of the most critical training topics in emergency management. FEMA has developed many Incident Command System position-specific courses in the last decade--all with limited availability and requiring a week or more of classroom time. In most cases position-specific training is limited to management positions, a small subset of the personnel that will be involved on your emergency response team. Instead of dedicating 40+ hours to a training program, Decision Aid can focus the training on the required Position Task Book skills and integrate the competencies into a graduated exercise series for your organization--a great opportunity to enable staff to demonstrate their abilities.

Our team has over a decade of experience delivering safety and emergency preparedness training to citizens and employees. Jurisdictions look to implement citizen preparedness programs without a full appreciation of the work required to advertise the program, schedule trained instructors, and succeed in offering a well-attended course. From the extensive Community Emergency Response Team curriculum to shorter offerings to educate the public on how to assist neighbors during an emergency, Decision Aid can deliver a successful program. Our preparedness programs can be offered in the workplace, with the focus to prepare your employees and their families for disaster--reducing employee absenteeism after an emergency.

The most effective emergency response can be quickly overshadowed by an untrained public affairs team. Decision Aid can provide awareness training for your entire staff to prevent inadvertent release of misinformation. We also offer specialized training for your public affairs and communications team highlighting the value of joint information systems to prevent conflicting messaging to the public and customers. All public information training incorporates crisis communications job aids and templates that can be utilized during any incident. Specialized courses on social media operations are available for emergency management, public safety, businesses, and other organizations to maximize the use of this important tool during a crisis.

Emergency volunteers need frequent training programs to keep them engaged and ready for duty. Decision Aid can deliver a curriculum centered around the required competencies for your entire volunteer cadre. We work with you to understand the expectations of your agency and it's volunteers and identify the appropriate training to get them to that level. Our team can build one successful volunteer training or develop an entire continuing education program to keep them engaged around the year.

Many new emergency training requirements have been introduced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and state healthcare licensing agencies over the past decade without much assistance to help you meet them. We specialize in customizing emergency management training programs for healthcare audiences including incident command system, crisis communications, and medical surge operations.

Schools and childcare facilities have many additional challenges to consider in their emergency planning efforts. Using our simplified response actions training, we ensure all school staff are empowered to protect themselves and students during an emergency. Decision Aid also offers student reunification, public information, and incident command system training for leadership and staff. Our training programs integrate seamlessly with your school's future tabletop and full-scale exercises.

Congregations of all faiths have recognized the need to prepare their members and facilities for emergencies. Based on Decision Aid's response action trainings offered to businesses and other non-profits, we offer a flexible preparedness program for congregations that fits within their busy schedule. Our training products prepare staff and members for the most minor to the largest emergencies. Faith-based childcare and nurseries can also be included in the program if applicable to your facility.