Does a responder's training history contribute to their performance in responding to an actual event?

The researchers propose that extending "lessons learned" response assessments to training histories of individual responders will identify what training modalities contribute to improved response.

Training Histories

It is standard practice to identify "lessons learned" from major events (hurricanes, floods, airplane crashes, etc.), but the focus is usually on the impact on the affected community and communications, equipment, and infrastructure needs of responders.  This doesn't address individual training histories, which are a major component of how responders work during events.

Project Relevance

Extending the concept of assessing "lessons learned" further into the past, to individual responders' trainings, may give insight into how to improve trainings in the future.

Lead Investigator

Craig Hedberg, PhD, University of Minnesota
Associate Professor, Division of Environmental Health Sciences
School of Public Health

Co-Investigators

Jill DeBoer, MPH, University of Minnesota
Department Director, AHC Office of Emergency Response
Associate Director, Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP)

Aggie Leitheiser, RN, MPH
Director of Emergency Preparedness at the Minnesota Department of Health
Instructor, University of Minnesota School of Public Health

Jeff Bender, PhD, University of Minnesota
Associate Professor, Veterinary Medicine
Associate Professor Veterinary Public Health, School of Public Health
Co-Director, Center for Animal Health and Food Safety

Patrick Bohan, PhD, MSEH, MS, PhD, RS, DAAS
CAPT, USPHS (Ret)
Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Health Science
East Central University, OK