Public health-specific National Incident Management System trainings: building a system for preparedness

Public Health Rep. 2010 Nov-Dec;125 Suppl 5(Suppl 5):43-50. doi: 10.1177/00333549101250S507.

Abstract

Local health departments (LHDs) are at the hub of the public health emergency preparedness system. Since the 2003 issuance of Homeland Security Presidential Directive-5, LHDs have faced challenges to comply with a new set of all-hazards, 24/7 organizational response expectations, as well as the National Incident Management System (NIMS). To help local public health practitioners address these challenges, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded Johns Hopkins Center for Public Health Preparedness (JH-CPHP) created and implemented a face-to-face, public health-specific NIMS training series for LHDs. This article presents the development, evolution, and delivery of the JH-CPHP NIMS training program. In this context, the article also describes a case example of practice-academic collaboration between the National Association of County and City Health Officials and JH-CPHP to develop public health-oriented NIMS course content.

MeSH terms

  • Civil Defense / education*
  • Cooperative Behavior
  • Disaster Planning*
  • Education, Public Health Professional / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Local Government
  • Program Development*
  • Program Evaluation
  • Public Health Administration
  • United States