After understanding your workplace’s emergency response needs and setting up your Emergency Response Team (ERT), the next major task is ensuring that the ERT can efficiently fulfil their Job Performance Requirements (JPRs). With the right training modules in mind, there are several steps you can take to choose the most suitable emergency response training provider to conduct the training.
1. Review Training Modules For All Levels Of Responders
When it comes to emergency response operations, it is not just about first aid, firefighting, or hazmat response in separated silos. An efficient incident response involves all levels of responders, from general staff to ERT members up to Incident Commander if the incident escalates to a larger scale. For example, a chemical spillage incident in the warehouse requires actions from several parties in an emergency response operation:
- General staff should notify the right person about the incident they encounter and make sure that no one gets near the incident scene.
- The On Scene Commander should mobilize the necessary ERT members to take care of the victims and contain the chemical spillage before professional help arrives.
- First aiders should provide help to the victims with an understanding of the chemicals involved.
- Hazmat responders should use the right approach to contain the chemicals based on the information on the Safety Data Sheets.
While it is easy to “go shopping” for emergency response training by flipping through catalogs of standardized training modules, you should make sure that the training modules suit the levels of responders. You may need to request customization so that the training matches the potential incidents according to the Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control (HIRARC) done when the ERP was drafted. Therefore, reviewing the training modules is the first critical step when selecting the right provider for all levels of responders in your workplace.
2. Understand How Emergency Response Training Participants Are Evaluated Post-Training
Sitting through the theoretical and practical sessions does not make a responder proficient in emergency response. A thorough evaluation of their knowledge and skills is necessary, whether individually or collectively as a team, to make sure that the training conducted was efficient and productive. If the evaluation outcome is not ideal, further steps should be taken to identify the issue so that improvement can be made.
Alternatively, an evaluation in the form of an emergency drill can be conducted to assess all levels of responders at once. You can assess the training outcome through the drill by measuring the following metrics:
- Evacuation time
- Percentage of employees taking the right emergency actions
- Assembly point verification
- Correct usage of emergency response equipment such as fire extinguishers
3. Evaluate The Emergency Response Training Provider’s Accreditation And Trainers’ Qualifications
Although many emergency response training providers may offer comparable training modules, it is crucial to check the accreditation of the provider and the credentials of their trainers. Accredited organizations and certified instructors are endorsed by reputable bodies in the emergency response field, such as the Pro Board, the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC), and the Emergency Management Institute of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These agencies establish rigorous standards that training providers must adhere to in order to guarantee the delivery of top-quality programs.
Furthermore, it is advisable to choose providers offering firefighting training that is HRD Corp claimable. This ensures that the trainers have completed the Train-The-Trainer certification through the Human Resources Development Corporation (HRDC), which validates their ability to deliver effective training.
4. Assess Pre- and Post-Training Support
A reliable emergency response training provider ensures continuous support to guarantee the effectiveness of the training and the achievement of your JPR objectives. Prior to the training, the provider should clearly outline any necessary preparations, such as ensuring the availability of a projector for the theoretical sessions or organizing a training venue with fire hydrants, if relevant. This is especially important when the training involves responders at different levels, particularly if external entities like the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) are involved in the drills.
Following the training, the provider should remain accessible to offer further assistance or advice, particularly for any training participants who may require extra resources or wish to reattempt the evaluation. While the quality of the training itself is essential, it is equally important to assess the support provided before and after the training, ensuring that the necessary resources and guidance will be available when needed.
5. Consider Emergency Response Training Formats and Flexibility
For a workplace with shifts and rotations of employees, it is challenging to arrange training and drills without disrupting production and operation. For example, the same emergency response drills might need to be conducted three times for employees of different shifts. This not only ensures that all employees receive the training but also helps to take environmental factors that can be different between day and night into consideration. The training provider should accommodate such flexibility instead of sticking to a rigid schedule.
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When arranging emergency response training for a large organization with multiple sites, it is crucial to first conduct a pilot session with the training provider to evaluate the quality of the program before proceeding with a full commitment. Alternatively, you can attend several public training sessions offered by different providers to experience the training firsthand. A reputable firefighting training provider will work in alignment with your Emergency Response Plan (ERP) to ensure its effective implementation. Make sure to select a provider carefully.
