By LTC Dallas R. Blevins*
Introduction
A number of SGAUS member organizations are heavily engaged with their host state Emergency Management Agency (EMA). Because this relationship is so new in Alabama, a rehearsal of the Alabama State Defense Force (ALSDF) experience may be of some value to other states.
The ability of every state and territory to respond to natural and man-made disasters is involved. Prior to the adoption of the Total Force concept, about 15 years ago, the National Guard was regularly called upon to provide public service in times of need. Now, individual National Guard members and even whole units are regularly out of the country and are unavailable for State oriented duty.
In order to provide continuing access to quick response for public emergencies, the states must have their own organization to provide these services. As of this writing, some 25 have done so. Many of these have long established relationships with their host sate EMA. Alabama has been slow to build a close relationship with the ALEMA. Under the leadership of its new commander, however, this is changing rapidly.
MG Horak took command in October 1996. He immediately began an interaction with the Director of the ALEMA. Over the past year and a h4 the ALSDF has received training in various emergency response scenarios and has been activated on several actual emergency events. Currently the ALEMA relies on ALSDF support for selected staffing of the Emergency Management Center and for local community support in nine specific areas. All of this requires training.
The EMA has developed a large number of courses which prepare the student to perform in specific emergency situations. These course offerings are broad enough in scope to cover most of the major needs of any jurisdiction. For example, California would need a large amount of training for an earthquake induced disaster. Virginia would not. Ohio would need flood disaster training. New Mexico would not. Oklahoma would desire tornado training. Vermont would see little need for that. Yet some training would fill common needs such as: fire, hazardous materials and terrorism.
The state EMA training director is given the task of identifying and responding to the training needs of his/her host state. In Alabama, the ALSDF factors very prominently in this process. This is true in many other states as well. If it is not in the state in which you live, perhaps it should. You can make it happen.
The Trainee Perspective
The commander of your SG/SDF will have to enter into an agreement with the State Director of the EMA. Such an agreement commits the SG/SDF to train for and respond to specific classes of disaster. Members of the SG/SDF will volunteer to serve in the resulting public service roles which they are both willing and able to play.
Once you have been selected for a specific EMA task, you will require training to effectively and efficiently perform that task. There are two delivery systems that provide this training: (1) correspondence courses and (2) the resident program.
Correspondence courses are, largely, reserved for material that is "knowledge" related. Educators call this the "cognitive domain." Persons who are self-motivated and who learn well by reading and by performing individual exercises are especially happy with the correspondence course format. An additional benefit is that the learning experience is totally in the control of the student. This benefit even extends to the speed with which the training can take place. The student does not have to wait for a seat in a class. Learning can begin as soon as the books arrive and the examinations can be submitted as quickly as they are completed. This may be fast or slow, depending entirely on what the student wants/needs to do about it.
Resident courses are available for three classes of instruction: (1) knowledge based (cognitive domain), (2) activity based (psychomotor), and (3) belief system (affective domain). Each fulfills a specific learning goal.
The knowledge based courses that are offered in a resident format are of specific interest to some students. Those who prefer an interactive group setting would benefit from these. The disadvantage is that the timing and length of the resident course may be difficult to match with the students' availability. Since the material covered in the correspondence course is the same as that presented in the resident format, the selection becomes a matter of student preference or availability.
Some courses are offered exclusively in a resident format. Those courses that are skill driven or that place a great emphasis on the feelings, emotions, impressions or motivations of either persons or groups provide the impetus for such courses. Thus, those EMA related activities that are computer based or are personnel interactive are extremely resident course intensive.
Not only do SG/SDF members need initial training, but also refresher courses are periodically required. These accommodate such needs as: (1) changes in technique, technology or law or (2) diminished proficiency.
The Trainer Perspective
The need for EMA oriented training is large and growing. This generates a need for larger numbers of training officers. Such persons must be competent in both the material to be presented and in the methods to most appropriately deliver it.
Due to the large number and variety of courses to be attended by ALSDF members, Mr. James Aldridge, the ALEMA Director of Training, has designated certain ALSDF members to compete for positions in the EMI Master Trainer Program. Those who successfully complete this series will be able to help in the development and presentation of courses and in the development and use of instructors. In Alabama, the value of master trainers is not to be limited to those courses attended exclusively by ALSDF members. ALSDF instructors are to be used statewide. This includes those training sessions in which the only ALSDF member is the instructor. The Master Trainer Program is comprised of seven one-week courses. The first four of these must be taken in sequence. The seventh course must be the last. Thus, flexibility in sequencing is available for just two of the seven courses. This severe set of constraints makes the Master Trainer Program prohibitive for many SG/SDF members.
Some SG/SDF members will desire to specialize in the teaching of one or more EMA courses. The training for these instructors has two parts. One, the instructor will take the course that is later to be taught. Two, the instructor will take an instructor oriented course. The sequencing of these courses is not critical. Armed with a cadre of such instructors, the Director of Training for the EMA can better serve the needs of his/her state.
The National Training Facility
The EMAs national training facility is called the Emergency Management Institute (EMI). It is located in Emmitsburg, MD and is shared with the National Fire Academy. It is a magnificent site. Located about 12 miles from Gettysburg, PA, it is a former Roman Catholic sponsored women's college. Some of the buildings date to the early 1800s. All structures are architecturally similar and the grounds are well maintained, so the place is aesthetically very pleasing. The staff who maintain the dining and lodging facilities are very competent and extremely pleasant. Everyone associated with the EMI seems to go out of the way to be of service.
The instruction at the EMI is outstanding. Based on the comments from students in other EMI classes and from National Fire Academy courses, they must all be outstanding. That makes it easy to recommend a resident class to SG/SDF members. Whether you want to serve as a practitioner, instructor, or Master Trainer, seriously consider competing for a place in the EMI classes of your choice.
The logistics are very attractive, as well. Travel is reimbursed four to six weeks from the end of the course. FEMA pays these costs. The attendee pays nothing for lodging, matriculation or materials. These costs are billed to the host State. The attendee pays $75 for a meal ticket. This is not reimbursable. This means that, for $75, SG/SDF members can get some of the best Emergency Management training in the world. The people of our home states need for us to obtain this training, and the federal and state governments have made it possible for us to get it.
The screening class for the Master Teacher Program is designated E-601, Management and Supervising Training. It is limited to 25 participants. Each has several years of teaching experience. About a third of those in the session I attended were federal employees from their host state EMA. Another third were fire fighters. Most of the rest were police officers. All were full time instructors in their host jurisdiction. I was the only volunteer and was one of just two or three who had never attended an EMI resident course. It is my hope that the EMI will eventually see so many SG/SDF members that no one will wonder: (1) who we are, (2) what we do or why we are there.
Conclusion
SG/SDF organizations are increasingly interactive with host state EMAs. This article addresses the need for training that is generated by this new set of relationships. State EMA Directors of Training are commissioned with the responsibility of assuring that those officials who respond to public disasters are appropriately trained. The state EMA Director of Training will approve EMA oriented courses for SG/SDF members who are willing and able to serve their communities in these ways.
Those SG/SDF members who wish to perform emergency management functions can attend state sponsored training. In addition, the EMI provides courses via a correspondence or a resident mode.
Some SG/SDF members will also be willing to teach the material in a particular course. This willingness is of extreme value to the EMA State Director of Training. Instructor training courses are available at the state level and in a resident EMI setting.
A third, and smaller group, will serve as Master Trainers. These will help the EMA state Director of Training, not only with instruction but also in the preparation of courses and in the selection of instructors.
The first six of the seven Master Trainer courses are offered exclusively at the Emmitsburg, MD site. The final course is an extended practicum, executed in the host state, under the direct supervision of an EMI faculty member.
Any of the three endeavors: (1) practitioner, (2) instructor or (3) Master Trainer is of immense value in the relieving of distress caused by natural or man-made disasters.
* LTC Dallas R. Blevins, CCA, CFE, CIA, CMA, C.P.M., Professor of Finance, Station 6542, Michael E. Stephens College of Business, University of Montevallo, Montevallo, Alabama 35115-6542. Phone: 205-665-6542. Fax: 205-665-6560. E-mail: blevins@um.montevallo.edu. LTC Blevins is the Inspector General for the Alabama State Defense Force.