This is an up-to-date independent study course training manual produced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on emergency planning (IS-235). The course overview states:
"This course is designed for emergency management personnel who are involved in developing an effective emergency planning system. This course offers training in the fundamentals of the emergency planning process, including the rationale behind planning. It will develop your capability for effective participation in the all-hazard emergency operations planning process to save lives and protect property threatened by disaster."
Contents include: Unit 1: Course Introduction – Introduction; How to Take This Course; Case Study: Why Plan? Course Goals; Goal Setting; Activity: Personal Learning Goals
Unit 2: The Planning Process - Introduction and Unit Overview; The Emergency Planning Process; Who Should Be Involved? How To Get the Team Together; How Should the Team Operate? Activity
Unit 3: Hazard Analysis - Introduction and Unit Overview; The Hazard Analysis Process; Step 1: Identifying Hazards; Step 2: Profiling Hazards; Activity: Profiling a Hazard; step 3: Developing a Community Profile; Step 4: Determining Vulnerability; Activity: Prioritizing Risks; Step 5: Creating and Applying Scenarios; Activity: Hazard Analysis
Unit 4: The Basic Plan - Introduction and Unit Overview; Components of a Basic Plan; Activity: Basic Plan Review; Activity: Reviewing Your Community’s Basic Plan
Unit 5: Annexes and Appendices - Introduction and Unit Overview; Annexes vs. Appendices—What Is the Difference? Functional Annexes; Activity: Reviewing Your EOP’s Functional Annexes; Hazard-Specific Appendices; Annex and/or Appendix Implementing Instructions
Unit 6: Implementing Instructions - Introduction and Unit Overview; What Are Implementing Instructions? Activity: Which Type Is Best? Who Uses Implementing Instructions? Activity: Identifying Possible Agency Implementing Instructions
Unit 7: Course Summary- Introduction; The Planning Process; Hazard Analysis; The Basic Plan; Annexes and Appendices; Implementing Instructions; final Steps; Appendix A: Sample Plan: Jefferson County; Appendix B: Job Aids; Appendix C: Acronym List.
This is the complete course manual made available by FEMA as part of the Emergency Management Institute Independent Study program, described this way by FEMA:
FEMA’s Independent Study Program is one of the delivery channels that the Emergency Management Institute (EMI) uses to provide training to the general public and specific audiences. Within the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, United States Fire Administration, operates the Emergency Management Institute (EMI). EMI produces independent study courses to train the general public as well as specific target audiences. The EMI Independent Study program consists of self-paced courses designed for people who have emergency management responsibilities and the general public. . .and college credit can be obtained through a for-fee service. Each Independent Study Course includes lessons with practice exercises and a final examination. Students who score 75 percent or better are issued a certificate of achievement from EMI. Course completion times vary from two to fourteen hours, depending on the course and the student’s background.
