Local and State Training Programs
Strengthening Healthcare Preparedness Through Training.
Discover training opportunities offered by local, regional, and state partners that support emergency preparedness, healthcare response, and professional development. These programs help healthcare organizations build capabilities, strengthen partnerships, and improve readiness for a wide range of emergencies affecting the Tampa Bay region.
Training Builds Confidence Before an Emergency
Effective emergency response begins long before an incident occurs. Ongoing education, exercises, and professional development help healthcare organizations prepare their staff, improve coordination with response partners, and strengthen operational readiness across the healthcare system.
The Tampa Bay Health & Medical Preparedness Coalition encourages coalition members to participate in training opportunities offered by trusted local, state, and federal partners. Whether you’re new to emergency preparedness or an experienced healthcare professional, continued training supports a more resilient and coordinated regional response.
External Resources
ASPR TRACIE COVID-19 Resources Page
This page highlights resources identified or developed to address current response and recovery operations to novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Please refer to CDC’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 webpage for the most up-to-date clinical guidance on COVID-19 outbreak management. If you have COVID-19 best or promising practices, plans, tools, or templates to share with your peers, please visit the ASPR TRACIE Information Exchange
SERT TRAC
SERT TRAC is the State Emergency Response Team Training Resources and Activity Center is the statewide emergency management learning management system. These courses are provided by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) to keep responders advised of events and training opportunities throughout the state. Create a profile to apply for free courses and manage your emergency management training experience. Visit to browse a calendar for upcoming training opportunities.
The Center for Domestic Preparedness
The Center for Domestic Preparedness provides advanced, all-hazards training to approximately 50,000 emergency responders annually from state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, as well as the federal government, foreign governments, and private entities, as available. The scope of training includes preparedness, protection, and response. Training of state, local, tribal, and territorial responders is fully funded by the Department of Homeland Security. Training of federal, foreign, and private sector responders is on a fee-for-service basis. Since it opened its doors in 1998, the CDP has trained more than 1.1 million responders.
FEMA Emergency Management Institute
The Emergency Management Institute’s (EMI) Curriculum Management Branch offers the Independent Study Program (ISP). This is a distance learning program which offers training, free of charge, to the nation’s emergency management network and the general public. It serves as both an alternative means to deliver valuable training to the professional and volunteer emergency management community as well as an opportunity to improve public awareness and promote disaster preparedness nationally. The Independent Study Program currently offers over 200 training courses via their training website.
TEEX – Texas A&M Engineering Extension Services
As part of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium and home to the National Emergency Response and Recovery Training Center. Major TEEX programs include firefighting, EMS and rescue; infrastructure and safety; law enforcement; economic and workforce development; cybersecurity; product development and evaluation; and homeland security.
TRAINING FOCUS AREAS
Prepare for Today's Challenges
Emergency preparedness requires knowledge, practice, and continuous learning. Training opportunities offered by coalition partners cover a wide range of topics designed to strengthen operational readiness, improve coordination, and help healthcare organizations prepare for the complex challenges they may face before, during, and after an emergency. Programs may include the following areas of focus:
Emergency Preparedness
Learn the principles of emergency planning, incident management, continuity of operations, and coordinated healthcare response.
Healthcare Emergency Response
Develop the knowledge and skills needed to respond to disasters, medical surge events, mass casualty incidents, and public health emergencies.
Incident Command
Strengthen leadership, communication, coordination, and decision making through Incident Command System and emergency management training.
Public Health Preparedness
Explore training focused on disease surveillance, outbreak response, healthcare coordination, and community resilience.
Hazard Specific Response
Build capabilities for responding to hurricanes, severe weather, infectious diseases, cybersecurity incidents, hazardous materials, active shooter events, and other threats.
Exercises & Workshops
Participate in tabletop exercises, functional exercises, workshops, and other collaborative training opportunities that strengthen regional preparedness.
Training Supports Stronger Response
Preparedness is not a one time event. Ongoing education, collaboration, and practice help healthcare organizations respond faster, recover more effectively, and better protect their communities during emergencies.
WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE
Training for the Entire Healthcare Community
These programs are intended to support a broad range of coalition partners, including:
- Hospitals and Health Systems
- Emergency Medical Services
- Public Health Agencies
- Emergency Management
- Long Term Care Facilities
- Home Health Agencies
- Dialysis Centers
- Community Health Centers
- Healthcare Administrators
- Emergency Preparedness Professionals
- Coalition Members and Partner Organizations
CONTINUOUS LEARNING
Preparedness Is an Ongoing Process
Preparedness is not achieved through a single course or exercise. It is built through continuous learning, collaboration, and practical experience. By participating in training throughout the year, healthcare organizations can strengthen their emergency plans, improve coordination with response partners, and enhance their ability to protect patients, staff, and communities during emergencies.