Training
The Training Section offers emergency management training courses based on FEMA's training and classes offered at the Emergency Management Institute. Additionally, workshops are presented throughout the year addressing emergency management issues pertinent to South Dakota and this region. Anyone in the public or private sector with involvement in emergency management can participate in these training activities. Participants are recruited from all areas of emergency management and disaster related services including: Mayors, Commissioners, Sheriffs, Fire Chiefs, Police Chiefs, Communications, Emergency Medical Services, and Military. An Independent Study Program is available consisting of courses covering the emergency management spectrum that can be accomplished at home.
The Training Section also assists in designing, developing and evaluating exercises for counties, cities, and companies to ensure preparedness, lines of communication, planning, and cooperation exists should a disaster occur.
For more information about the Training Section, email Kyle Ward or call him at (605) 773.3231.
Emergency Management Course Descriptions
The Professional Development Series
(building the profession of emergency management)
FEMA ICS Course Available On-line
Eligibility-Anyone with substantial involvement in emergency management can participate in the training activities offered by the Office of Emergency Management.
Cost-There will be no tuition fees for courses conducted by the OEM. All instruction, books, and student handout materials are provided at no cost. Participants from the private sector must pay their own lodging.
Lodging-When applicable: local and state government employees, elected/appointed officials, and volunteers traveling more than 40 miles to the course location will have their basic lodging costs covered under a master bill. Anyone living within 40 miles of a training site is expected to commute and will not be eligible for lodging cost reimbursement.
Attendance-If an individual is unable to attend a course for which he/she has been accepted, he/she must cancel (by telephone or writing) prior to the course start date. He/she is also responsible for canceling the hotel reservation.
How to Apply-Complete the on-line registration form. Fill out one application per course per person. Hard copy or paper forms may also be obtained from SDOEM.
Mail applications to:
SD Office of Emergency Management
118 West Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
Or Fax (605) 773.3580
You will be notified by mail of your acceptance. This confirmation letter will include location and lodging specifics.
Enrollment is EMI courses is generally limited to U.S. residents. To take a course at EMI, applicants must meet the selection criteria and prerequisites specified for each course. Participants may not take the same course more than once.
Applications for admission to EMI are made using the General Admission Form 75-5. FEMA Form 75-5 can also be downloaded from http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/StudentInfor/application.asp. However, you must have a copy of the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print the form. Forms can also be obtained from SDOEM. All applications must contain a signature from the head of your sponsoring organization and be submitted to SDOEM (Randy Maddox, STO) for approval. SDOEM will forward the applications to the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) Admissions Office.
Applications for course vacancies must be received at least six weeks before the course start date for the applicant to be considered for the course. Vacancies within six weeks of the course start date shall only be filled from the established wait list, so it's important to apply early.
The Professional Development Series
(building the profession of emergency management)
There are several ways to apply for your PDS certificate. The appropriate method depends on how you completed the required courses.
- If you have completed all the PDS requirements through the Independent Study Program (ISP), your certificate will be automatically generated and sent to your State Training Officer (STO) for signature. It will then be mailed or presented to you.
- If you have completed some of the courses in the classroom through State training and some through the Independent Study Program (ISP), you should inform your STO and provide that office copies of all applicable ISP certificates as evidence that you have completed the remaining required PDS courses through Independent Study. The STO should then request a PDS Certificate of Completion be generated for you.
- If you have completed all of the courses in the classroom through State training, you should inform your STO. The STO will then request that a PDS Certificate of Completion be generated for you.
Students who complete all PDS-required courses are eligible to receive a PDS Certificate of Completion. PDS-required courses include: IS230, IS235, IS240, IS241, IS242, IS244, and IS139. PDS certificates are awarded by your State Emergency Management Agency in partnership with the EMI.
The courses, in recommended order of completion, are as follows:
- Principals of Emergency Management (IS-230)
- Emergency Planning (IS-235)
- Effective Communication (IS-242)
- Decision Making and Problem Solving (IS-241)
- Leadership and Influence (IS-240)
- Developing and Managing Volunteers (IS-244)
- Exercise Design (IS-139)
Courses may be taken by individuals online (at http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS) or by correspondence or in group study taught by an instructor. For group study courses, consult your State's emergency management agency training schedule.
For more information, visit the Emergency Management Institute's Professional Development Series website at http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/PDS/.
Mailing Address • 118 West Capitol Avenue • Pierre, SD 57501