Training & Exercises

The Department of Emergency Management offers various training, educational, and exercise-oriented offerings to the FAU community. This page contains a list of some of the commonly requested programs, however, the Department of Emergency Management welcomes the opportunity to put together a training and exercise package that fits your specific requests. To request one of the opportunities below, or to discuss a specialized offering, please complete the following form:  Request a Training or Exercise Form .

Training on a Quarter 

The Florida Atlantic University Department of Emergency Management (DEM) created Training on a Quarter to prepare Units for emergency situations and better acquaint Units with their Unit Continuity of Operations Plan (UCOOP) and Unit Emergency Response plan. (UERP). Training on a Quarter is intended to be a self-administered tabletop exercise tool for Units to assess the Unit’s emergency preparedness and planning. A tabletop exercise simulates an emergency in a low stress environment. Participants discuss problems and procedures in the context of response to a specific emergency incident. This activity promotes the following objectives within the Unit:

• Increase awareness of potential hazards and their impact on University functions
• Develop proactive solutions-based approach to the diverse challenges of disasters
• Identify areas for improvement in unit plans including UCOOP and UERP
• Increase knowledge, skills, and abilities of Units

Response Training - Protective Actions

This awareness-level offering is designed to develop a conversation on what are the risks, vulnerabilities, and disasters we may face as a community and builds upon this by discussing response actions that can be taken to protect yourself and those around you. During this session, participants discuss general concepts such as responding as a community; situational awareness; assessing your environment; guidance on evacuating, sheltering in place, and responding to a threat; and available resources in the community.

Introduction to Unit Planning

This general session is designed for those individuals who will either lead or participate in developing a Unit Emergency Response Plan (UERP) or Unit Continuity of Operations Plan (UCOOP). This session provides an overview of the planning documents and is designed to lay down a foundation for participants so that they may return to their units and have an effective and successful planning program. Topics discussed include navigating the unit planning templates, assembling a planning team, and other tips and guidance to guide you through this critical endeavor.

SKYWARN Storm Spotter

FAU prides itself as a StormReady University, and as such, partners with the National Weather Service to bring the SKYWARN program to our community. This component trains individuals in becoming SKYWARN Storm Spotters and covers the basics of thunderstorm development; fundamentals of storm structure; identifying potential severe weather features; information to report; how to report information; basic severe weather safety.

Hurricane Preparedness

Hurricanes remain one of the deadliest and costliest of natural disasters. Nestled along the east coast, FAU is vulnerable to the impacts and cascading effects of tropical cyclones. This course provides for an overview and basic understanding of concepts designed around protecting, preparing, responding, and recovering from tropical cyclones.

Emergency Operations Team Training

This training is designed for individuals who are assigned to the FAU Emergency Operations Team and is designed as an overview of FAU's emergency management program, the Emergency Operations Team, and various components associated with their assignment to the team.

Overview to FAU Emergency Management

This program provides and overview of FAU's Department of Emergency Management and the administered emergency management program designed on emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities to protect our students, faculty, staff, resources, and infrastructure in order to maintain or restore University operations. 

FAU Alert Activator Training

This training is structured for those individuals who have been assigned the responsibility of activating the FAU Alert System. This training will introduce individuals to the emergency notification & alerting program and associated capabilities.

Core Training - Student Affairs & Enrollment Management

This training curriculum has been developed for delivery to student workers assigned to the Division of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management. It is designed to cover various safety-related topics and the intricacies of their roles.

NIMS / ICS

The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) under FEMA offers self-paced courses designed for people who have emergency management responsibilities and the general public. Key courses for those involved in emergency response and recovery at FAU are:

IS-100.c Introduction to the Incident Command System

IS-200.c ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents

IS-363 Introduction to Emergency Management for Higher Education

IS-700.a National Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction

IS-800.d National Response Framework, An Introduction

Additional courses can be accessed at FEMA Independent Study Program

Tabletop Exercises

These sessions allow participants to navigate a hypothetical scenario and discuss the "what ifs". These are designed and tailored to the specific participants and creates an environment where individuals can assess their prior planning and preparedness efforts. These have been and can be, accomplished at department, unit, team, and campus levels.