ICASERRR Project

Training Project Title

DRAFT - 28 August 2024

Background

Context: This training program is designed for rural emergency response services leaders and practitioners operating in rural, resource-constrained environments. Rural regions face unique challenges such as geographic isolation, limited resources, and leadership gaps, all of which hinder effective emergency response and disaster management.

Sponsors: The training is sponsored by regional emergency management agencies, local government bodies, and academic institutions committed to enhancing the operational efficiency and resilience of rural emergency response services. 

Participants: The primary participants are emergency service response leaders, managers, and key practitioners responsible for coordinating and executing emergency responses within their communities. This includes fire chiefs, emergency medical services coordinators, law enforcement leaders, and other key stakeholders involved in crisis management.

Purpose of Training

Organizational Goals: The primary goal of this training is to address critical organizational challenges by equipping ERS personnel with advanced strategies to build institutional capacity and adaptive capabilities. This training aligns with broader organizational goals of improving community resilience, optimizing resource allocation, and fostering inter-agency collaboration, ultimately enhancing the overall effectiveness of emergency response efforts in rural settings.

    Target Population

    Characteristics of Learning Audience
    Experience Level: Mid-to-senior level personnel with varying levels of formal leadership training.
    Role: Leaders responsible for strategic decision-making, resource management, and inter-agency coordination during crises.
    Environment: Participants operate in rural and resource-limited settings, often with minimal access to advanced technology or external support.
    Motivation: Strong commitment to improving community safety and resilience, driven by the desire to overcome current operational limitations.

    Audience Analysis

    Audience Characteristics and Factors:
    Resource Constraints: Limited access to funding, personnel, and equipment.
    Geographic Isolation: Challenges related to remote locations and difficulties in inter-agency communication and coordination.
    Leadership Gaps: Variability in leadership experience and formal training.
    Community Dynamics: Strong community ties but potential resistance to change or external interventions.
    Technological Limitations: Limited access to high-tech solutions, requiring practical, low-cost strategies.

    Prerequisites

    Skill and Knowledge Prerequisites
    Basic knowledge of emergency response protocols.
    Experience in leadership or coordination roles within ERS.
    Familiarity with community dynamics and resource management in rural settings.
    Previous exposure to inter-agency collaboration efforts.

    Course Objectives

    Course Outcome

    Goal: Upon completion of this course, rural emergency response services (ERS) leaders will have the knowledge and skills to design, implement, and refine a comprehensive framework that strengthens institutional capacity and adaptive capabilities (IC/AC). They will be equipped to enhance inter-agency collaboration, optimize resource allocation, and engage stakeholders effectively, thereby improving the resilience, preparedness, and operational efficiency of their organizations in responding to complex emergencies and disasters within resource-constrained rural environments.

    Terminal Learning Objective

    TLO: With an understanding of institutional capacity and adaptive capability (IC/AC), leaders will design a framework that enhances inter-agency collaboration, thereby improving their organizations' overall resilience and effectiveness in responding to complex emergencies and disasters within resource-constrained rural environments. Bloom’s III. Design=apply

    Enabling Learning Objective 1

    ELO 1.1: Critically Evaluate Challenges

    Learners will critically evaluate rural ERS's complex challenges (e.g., geographic isolation, resource limitations, and leadership deficits, and their impacts on emergency response effectiveness. Bloom’s V. Evaluate

    Week 1

    Enabling Learning Objective 2

    ELO 1.2: Synthesize and Apply IC/AC Strategies

    Learners will synthesize advanced theoretical concepts, such as Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) and social capital, to devise strategies that enhance institutional capacity and adaptive capabilities within rural ERS. Bloom’s VI. Synthesize (create) 

    Week 1

    Enabling Learning Objective 3 & Sub-ELO

    ELO 1.3: Advance Leadership Practices

    Learners will develop a strategic coordination plan for community crisis response that incorporates regional inter-agency cooperation, social capital-building initiatives, and effective crisis communication, tailored to the unique demands of their rural community. Bloom’s VI. Develop (create)

    Sub-ELO 1.3.a: Learners will critically assess and refine their strategic coordination plan by integrating feedback, ensuring it effectively addresses the specific needs of their rural community. (Bloom’s V. Assess (evaluate)

    Week 2

    Enabling Learning Objective 4

    ELO 1.4: Enhance Collaborative Networks

    Learners will design initiatives that foster robust collaboration and networking among ERS agencies and community stakeholders, enhancing resource sharing and coordinated emergency responses. (example: citizens academy, town halls, inter-agency training, etc.) Bloom’s: III-VI Design (apply-create)

    Week 3

    Enabling Learning Objective 5

    ELO 1.5: Implement Framework

    Learners will present an implementation strategy for their coordination framework, demonstrating enhanced inter-agency collaboration, optimized social capital resources, and effective stakeholder engagement, ultimately improving their organizations' resilience and operational effectiveness in responding to complex emergencies and disasters. Bloom’s III. Present (apply)

    Week 4 - Capstone

    Total Course Length
    The course will span 4 weeks, with a total of 40 instructional hours.
    Unit Length
    Week 1: Introduction to Challenges in Rural ERS and IC/AC Strategies (8-10 hours)
    Week 2: Leadership and Strategic Coordination Plan Development (8-10 hours)
    Week 3: Enhancing Collaborative Networks and Social Capital (8-10 hours)
    Week 4: Implementation and Assessment of the Coordination Framework (8-10 hours)

    Course Materials

    • Participant Guide: A detailed guide outlining course content, activities, and resources.
    • Facilitator Guide: A comprehensive manual for instructors, including lesson plans, discussion points, and assessment guidelines.
    • Presentation Slides: Visual aids to support course delivery, including key concepts and examples.
    • Case Studies: Real-world examples and scenarios for discussion and analysis.
    • Assessment Tools: Quizzes, reflection prompts, and project-based assessments.

    Instructional Methods

    • Lectures and Presentations: To introduce theoretical concepts and frameworks.
    • Interactive Discussions: Facilitated group discussions to explore challenges and share experiences.
    • Case Studies and Scenarios: Practical exercises to apply learning in real-world contexts.
    • Workshops: Hands-on sessions for developing strategic plans and frameworks.
    • Peer Feedback: Structured opportunities for participants to provide and receive feedback on their plans.

    Instructional Media

    • In-Person Sessions: Primary mode of delivery, supplemented by online resources.
    • Learning Management System (LMS): Online platform for accessing materials, submitting assignments, and engaging in discussions.
    • Multimedia Presentations: Videos, infographics, and interactive modules to enhance learning.

    Assessment Strategy

    • Formative Assessments: Ongoing quizzes, reflection activities, and peer feedback to track progress.
    • Summative Assessment: Final presentation of the coordination framework assessed based on its feasibility, innovation, and alignment with course objectives.
    • Practical Application: Participants will implement elements of their strategic coordination plans within their organizations and report on the outcomes.
    • Feedback Mechanisms: Both peer and instructor feedback will be used to refine strategies and ensure continuous improvement.

    Approval Signatures

     

    Appendices and Attachments

    NOTICE

    This material within the page is copyrighted and not available for sharing or adaptation without explicit permissions from the author. ©JR Grigsby