Section 1: An introduction to training and training needs analysis

In this topic, we examine the place of training in emergency management by relating training needs analysis to the emergency prevention and preparedness model used throughout this course.

We review the reasons why training must be an integral part of emergency management, before turning our attention to how we can accurately assess training needs. As we shall see, the training cycle is an important tool in this regard.

So why do we need to conduct a training analysis and why do we need to train?

We ascertained in Topic 2 that emergency plans were strategic documents and that standard operating procedures were tactical documents. A plan is a record of the commitment that organisations make and it details organisational roles and responsibilities. On the other hand, a standard operating procedure is a detailed account of specific actions to be taken within a single organisation.

In order that the actions and tasks specified within the SOP can be performed efficiently it may be necessary to train specific individual or groups. A large number of the organisations, which have commitments under emergency plans and who need SOP, will often not be emergency response-orientated. In these instances great emphasis will need to be paid to their emergency management awareness and response training. It is not only non-emergency response-related organizations, however, that will need training. All organisations involved in emergency management are likely to require some level of either group or individual training to ensure that the requisite knowledge and skills are developed and maintained.

The inclusion of the ‘why’ field in our SOP gives reason and importance to the tasks that need to be peformed. People who appreciate the reason and importance of the tasks that they have to carry out are likely to perform in a more positive and efficient manner, and are more likely to participate more effectively in training exercises.

Activity 3.1 Read Textbook: Carter, Chapter 4, paras 24-26. After reading the section of text from Carter above, answer the following questions: What other skills, knowledge and attitudes to the list at paragraph 24 can you add? Is the suggestion at paragraph 25 applicable or desirable when considered in the light of the way in which we have developed our SOP matrix? In the next reading, Carter outlines further skills and functions that may need specialist training, before moving on to consider training policy and the types of training and trainee categories that may feature in a needs analysis. Read Textbook: Carter, Chapter 21, paras 5-10. Why is it important to assess a person existing level of competence in undertaking a task? How do we identify potential areas that may need training? How do we determine the most appropriate type of training activity for the needs and the people that we have identified? Will emergency response-oriented organizations and individuals require training in emergency management tasks? Justify your answer. Print this activity

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