A self-guided virtual on-demand training and accompanying workbook to increase capacity for epidemiologists’ participation in large scale outbreaks, emergency activations, and/or other emergency preparedness and response activities. The training will focus on 1) defining key surveillance and epidemiologic emergency response duties and roles, 2) understanding available population level data sources and their limitations, 3) completing basic data analyses for the preparation of data reports to inform agency and jurisdictional leadership, and 4) participating in and/or preparing for after action reviews.

The training is led by Dr. Julianne Baron, Ph.D., CPH, RBP a consultant for the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE), and has a background consulting in public health, laboratory safety, and scientific training and communication.

Closed captions are available for all lessons included in this training series.

Lesson 1: Course Overview

By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:

1. Provide an overview of the course and interactivity, reasons for its development, and the topics to be covered in the training. 

Lesson 2: Introduction to Emergency Management and Federal Management Systems

By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:

1. Define the emergency management cycle and the incident management cycle. 
2. Differentiate between types of public health emergencies and disasters. 
3. Introduce National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) concepts. 
4. Apply understanding of public health emergencies to your community. 

Lesson 3: The Role of Epidemiologists in Public Health Emergency Preparedness, Exercises and Drills

By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the role of epidemiologists in public health emergency preparedness.
2. Describe the types of emergency preparedness exercises. 
3. Examine preparedness activities.

Lesson 4: The Role of Epidemiologists in Public Health Emergency Response

By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the role of epidemiologists in public health emergency response.
2. Relate National Incident Management System (NIMS), Incident Command System (ICS), and preparedness concepts to public health and epidemiological emergency response.

Lesson 5: Impacted Populations, Special Considerations, and the Health Impacts of a Public Health Emergency

By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:

1. Examine hazards and risk factors that impact populations in public health emergencies.
2. Review different population characteristics that may lead to disproportionate health impacts.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of health impacts of emergencies and population-specific access and functional needs.

Lesson 6: Data Sources, Rapid Needs Assessment Tools, and Data Analysis in a Public Health Emergency 

By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:

1. Identify sources of data collection during an emergency response.
2. Name specialized surveillance tools for disasters.
3. Review data collection and entry for surveillance tools.
4. Practice disaster surveillance data analysis and presentation.

Lesson 7: Post-Event Debriefing and Reporting in a Public Health Emergency

By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:

1. Recognize the importance of after-action reviews (AARs) and debriefs.
2. Demonstrate the ability to write an after-action report.

Lesson 8: Course Review and Evaluation

By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:

1. Provide a summary of information learned throughout each of the 7 lessons of the course.
2. Complete a qualtrics evaluation for the full training. 

This training series was funded by CDC Cooperative Agreement No: 1 NU38OT000297-02-00. The contents of this training are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC. The content was developed by Dr. Julianne Baron, Ph.D., CPH, RBP, a consultant for CSTE. 

Competencies:

• 1.1 – Data Analytics and Assessment Skills – Identifies the diversity of individuals and populations 
• 1.2 – Data Analytics and Assessment Skills – Describes factors that affect the health of a community
• 3.1 – Communication Skills – Determines communication strategies
• 3.2 – Communication Skills – Applies principles of risk communication
• 3.3 – Communication Skills – Facilitates accessible communication among individuals, groups, and organizations
• 4.2 – Community Partnership Skills – Maintains bidirectional relationships that improve community health and resilience
• 4.3 – Community Partnership Skills – Participates in emergency management for public health emergencies
• 7.5 – Policy Development and Program Planning Skills – Advocates for policies and public health actions that improve community health and resilience