In response to repeated requests from our customers for more distance based offerings, the Center for Public Health Practice has converted an incident action planning course from a face to face workshop into an online, instructor-supported format.

The online option was so popular, the class filled up and currently has a waiting list.

"Incident Action Planning: The Planning P" provides participants with a logical, hands-on approach to responding to a level-three incident in their communities. This course, based on the National Incident Management System, provides a standardized framework that can be used to manage any incident.

Team Shaker Heights found the course helpful.

"The course has allowed us to reflect on what our community is doing well already, and what we need to improve upon. Our emergency response plan, which is a multi-hazard plan, is a good base. We also realized that, due to our small size, we will need to engage those outside our community, such as our regional public health partners, in planning," the team said in its evaluation.

The course activities are structured so that participants identify local strengths and weaknesses, which allows communities to modify emergency operations plans to foster a collaborative and effective capacity to meet the challenges of a complex local disaster.

The course consists of four modules. Content is presented through the use of narrated PowerPoint presentations, video clips, and readings that can be done on the participant's own time. A discussion board allows for student to instructor and student to student interaction.

Application-based assignments are associated with each module and participants are provided with timely, constructive feedback from the instructor. Four quizzes and a final exam, along with the assignments, help to assess participants' understanding and application of course content.

While this course can be completed on an individual basis, participants are encouraged to assemble an agency or community based team. The course takes approximately 10 hours to complete and has been approved for nursing, registered sanitarian, and CHES continuing education credit.

For more information about this course please contact Melissa Sever, MPH, CHES at msever@cph.osu.edu or (614) 292-2047.

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The Center for Public Health Practice is a part of The Ohio State University's College of Public Health. The center is home to federally funded public health programs, including the Center for Public Health Preparedness, Pennsylvania and Ohio Public Health Training Center and the Buckeye Bluegrass Regional Leadership Academy. The center provides training to hundreds of public health practitioners every year through in-person and online programs. It also offers contractual and fee-for-service support in the areas of organizational and leadership development.