This section highlights self-paced, online training courses supporting Public Information Officers and external affairs professionals. Courses can be completed at any time and focus on public communication, outreach, interagency coordination, and partner engagement. These trainings are provided by trusted external organizations.
IS-29.A: Public Information Awareness
Provider: FEMA Independent Study
Format: Online | Self-Paced
Cost: Free
The Public Information Officer Awareness Course (IS0029) is designed to familiarize participants with the concepts underlying the PIO role. This course can provide a basic understanding of the PIO function for those new to the position. Additionally, it can provide those in executive-level roles the necessary knowledge of PIO roles and responsibilities during an emergency.
IS-42.A: Social Media in Emergency Management
Provider: FEMA Independent Study
Format: Online | Self-Paced
Cost: Free
The purpose of this course is to provide the participants with best practices, including tools, techniques, and a basic roadmap to build capabilities in the use of social media technologies in their own emergency management organizations (State, local, Tribal) in order to further their emergency response missions.
IS-100.C: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS 100
Provider: FEMA Independent Study
Format: Online | Self-Paced
Cost: Free
ICS 100, Introduction to the Incident Command System, introduces the Incident Command System (ICS) and provides the foundation for higher-level ICS training. This course describes the history, features, principles, and organizational structure of the Incident Command System. It also explains the relationship between ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
IS-200.C: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200
Provider: FEMA Independent Study
Format: Online | Self-Paced
Cost: Free
IS200, Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, reviews the Incident Command System (ICS), provides the context for ICS within initial response, and supports higher-level ICS training. This course provides training on and resources for personnel who are likely to assume a supervisory position within ICS.
IS-242.C: Effective Communication
Provider: FEMA Independent Study
Format: Online | Self-Paced
Cost: Free
This course is designed to improve your communication skills. It addresses: Basic communication skills; How to communicate in an emergency; How to identify community-specific communication issues; Using technology as a communication tool; Effective oral communication; and, How to prepare an oral presentation.
IS-247.C: Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) for Alert Originators
Provider: FEMA Independent Study
Format: Online | Self-Paced
Cost: Free
The goal of this course is to equip authorized public safety officials with a foundational understanding of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) and to provide the essential knowledge and skills to create appropriate, effective, and accessible alert and warning messages.
IS-251.B: Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) for Alerting Administrators
Provider: FEMA Independent Study
Format: Online | Self-Paced
Cost: Free
This course provides information on the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) for Alerting Administrators. The goal of this course is to provide guidance to those becoming authorized Alerting Administrators for IPAWS by:
- Illustrating best practices and effective use of IPAWS to reach members of the public
- Developing effective policies, plans, and procedures
- Defining the approval process
- Defining the importance of training, practice, and exercise with IPAWS
IS-700.B: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
Provider: FEMA Independent Study
Format: Online | Self-Paced
Cost: Free
This course provides an overview of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). The National Incident Management System defines the comprehensive approach guiding the whole community – all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations (NGO), and the private sector – to work together seamlessly to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from the effects of incidents. The course provides learners with a basic understanding of NIMS concepts, principles, and components.
IS-800.D: National Response Framework, An Introduction
Provider: FEMA Independent Study
Format: Online | Self-Paced
Cost: Free
The goal of the IS-0800.d, National Response Framework, An Introduction, is to provide guidance for the whole community. Within this broad audience, the National Response Framework focuses especially on those who are involved in delivering and applying the response core capabilities, including:
- First responders
- Private sector partners
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Government officials
- Community leaders
- Emergency management practitioners
IS-2900.A: National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) Overview
Provider: FEMA Independent Study
Format: Online | Self-Paced
Cost: Free
The National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF), developed in conformance with Presidential Policy Directive-8, outlines the basis for a national approach to disaster recovery. The NDRF defines how we will work together to best meet the needs of individuals, families, communities, and states in their ongoing efforts to prevent, protect, mitigate, respond t,o and recover from any disaster event.
PER-304-W: Social Media Platforms in Disaster Management
Provider: National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPTC)
Format: Online | Web-Based Training | Self-Paced
Cost: Free
This performance-level web-based course is designed for individuals in the public and private sectors who are responsible for gathering and disseminating disaster-related information and who would like to increase their knowledge and understanding of social media and its uses during crisis communication to support organizational preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.