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El Parker, Emma Parkinson, Ambrose Cole, Dominique D, Gareth Black, Fadzayi Guri, and Martyn Clayden

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more Anybody with an interest in emergency planning and preparedness. If you’re looking to study the full MSc Emergency Planning Management and Resilience degree, or are working in or planning a career in the emergency planning and preparedness world, this course is for you.

Topics Covered

Read more

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more Anybody with an interest in emergency planning and preparedness. If you’re looking to study the full MSc Emergency Planning Management and Resilience degree, or are working in or planning a career in the emergency planning and preparedness world, this course is for you.

Topics Covered

  • Introduction to emergency planning and preparedness terminology.
  • How to identify effective emergency planning and preparedness.
  • The relationship between the type of emergency and the plan.
  • The emergency planning cycle.
  • How to prepare an emergency plan.

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Reviews summary

Introduction to emergency planning overview

According to learners, this course offers a solid introduction to the fundamentals of emergency planning and preparedness. Many found it a good starting point, particularly for those new to the field, covering key concepts like terminology, planning cycles, and identifying effective practices. While the content is clear and well-structured for beginners, some students felt it lacked sufficient depth for more experienced professionals or those seeking detailed practical application. Overall, it provides a foundational overview but may require supplementary learning for advanced understanding.
Introduces key concepts and terms effectively.
"It does a good job of introducing you to the specific language used in emergency planning."
"Learning the terminology was very helpful and clearly explained."
"The definitions provided for key terms were precise and easy to grasp."
"Helped clarify many terms I had heard but didn't fully understand before."
Well-organized and easy to follow.
"The course is very well-structured, making it easy to follow the progression of topics."
"I appreciated how the modules were broken down into manageable sections."
"The logical flow of information helped me build my understanding step-by-step."
"Structure is clear and helps in understanding the emergency planning cycle."
Provides a solid introduction for beginners.
"This course gave me a really good overview of emergency planning. Great for someone just starting out."
"I found this to be an excellent introduction to the subject matter. It covered the basics clearly."
"As someone completely new to this field, I appreciated the clear and concise introduction provided."
"It's a decent starting point to grasp the core ideas and terminology of emergency planning."
Content may be too basic for experienced pros.
"While the basics are covered, I was hoping for more in-depth analysis and advanced concepts. Too introductory."
"Good for beginners, but professionals with existing knowledge might find the content superficial and lacking detail."
"I felt the course touched on topics briefly without exploring them in the detail needed for practical application."
"Could use more advanced case studies or examples for those with some background."

Career center

Learners who complete An Introduction to Emergency Planning and Preparedness will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in An Introduction to Emergency Planning and Preparedness.
Provides a comprehensive overview of emergency preparedness, covering topics such as emergency planning, food storage, first aid, and disaster response. It is written in a clear and concise style, making it accessible to a wide audience.
This gripping account of a hospital's response during Hurricane Katrina raises critical ethical questions in disaster situations. It provides a detailed case study of complex decision-making in a crisis. is considered a must-read for its exploration of the difficult choices faced during disaster response.
This updated edition provides a comprehensive look at disaster recovery, covering essential areas such as housing, donations, volunteer management, and economic recovery. It includes new case examples and addresses contemporary issues like climate change and the impact on vulnerable populations. This widely recognized textbook in the field of emergency management and is crucial for a thorough understanding of post-disaster recovery efforts.
This engaging book explores human behavior during disasters, examining why some people panic while others remain calm and act effectively. It uses compelling narratives and scientific research to provide insights into the psychology of survival. is highly relevant for understanding the human element in disaster management and must-read for anyone interested in preparedness and response from a behavioral perspective.
This practice-oriented guide focuses specifically on the role of public health in disaster management. It comprehensive resource for public health professionals involved in all phases of disaster. The latest editions incorporate current challenges like pandemics, making it very relevant.
Provides comprehensive instructions on first aid techniques for a wide range of injuries and illnesses. It is written by a leading first aid organization and is highly regarded for its accuracy and clarity.
Kathleen Tierney, a leading disaster scholar, argues that disasters are not purely natural events but are deeply rooted in social and institutional structures. challenges conventional thinking by highlighting how societal factors contribute to vulnerability and risk. It crucial read for those seeking a deeper, critical understanding of the social dimensions of disasters and resilience.
Provides a comprehensive guide to emergency preparedness, covering topics such as food storage, water purification, first aid, and disaster response. It is written by a team of experts with decades of experience in emergency preparedness.
Provides a comprehensive guide to preparing for and surviving any type of emergency or disaster. It covers topics such as food storage, water purification, first aid, and disaster response.
This comprehensive textbook provides a broad overview of emergency management, covering all aspects of the discipline from planning and preparedness to response and recovery.
Provides a comprehensive overview of social vulnerability to disasters. It covers the different factors that contribute to social vulnerability, the different ways to measure social vulnerability, and the different ways to reduce social vulnerability.
Provides a comprehensive overview of international disaster law. It covers the different international legal frameworks for disaster response, the different international organizations involved in disaster response, and the different ways to promote international cooperation in disaster response.
Combining personal memoir with expert analysis, this book offers a timely look at the increasing vulnerability to natural disasters in the context of climate change. It provides a ground-level perspective on disaster response and the challenges faced by those on the frontlines. is particularly relevant for understanding contemporary issues in the field.
Provides a comprehensive overview of disaster planning for emergency managers. It covers all aspects of disaster planning, from risk assessment to response and recovery.
Provides a comprehensive overview of emergency management planning. It covers all aspects of emergency management planning, from risk assessment to response and recovery.
Examining the intersection of emergency management and public health, this book details actions for reducing morbidity and mortality before, during, and after public health emergencies and disasters. It includes new chapters on crucial topics like disaster behavioral health and community resilience. This valuable resource for public health practitioners and those involved in healthcare response.
This textbook covers the fundamental concepts and strategies of emergency management. It solid resource for gaining a broad understanding of the field and is often used in academic settings. It provides a structured approach to learning the principles of emergency management.
Focuses on the strategies and tactics employed in disaster response and recovery, with an emphasis on building resilience. It provides a comprehensive overview of the recovery phase, which critical but often overlooked aspect of disaster management. This book is valuable for understanding the long-term process after a disaster.
Providing a global perspective on disaster management, this book examines the challenges and approaches in an international context. It is essential for understanding the complexities of cross-border cooperation and the role of international organizations in disaster response. broadens the understanding beyond a domestic focus.
This handbook provides a comprehensive step-by-step approach to developing a Business Continuity Plan. It guides the reader through assessing threats, developing processes, and protecting vital assets. It practical toolkit useful for both beginners and those looking to refine their existing plans. is an excellent reference tool for anyone involved in the planning and management of disaster recovery.
Explores the concept of disaster resilience from an integrated perspective, considering various levels from individual to community. It provides a systematic assessment of resilience and factors contributing to it. This book is valuable for understanding how to build capacity for withstanding and recovering from disasters.
Addresses contemporary challenges in data protection across various environments, including physical, virtual, cloud, and SaaS. It explores different backup and recovery solutions and helps in understanding the unique requirements of various workloads. This book is highly relevant for understanding current data protection strategies that are integral to modern disaster recovery. It is suitable for IT professionals and advanced students.
Delves into the technical concepts, design, and implementation of high availability and disaster recovery solutions. It focuses on redundant systems at various abstraction levels, particularly in UNIX and Linux environments. This book is suitable for those with a technical background looking to deepen their understanding of the underlying technologies that support HA/DR. It useful reference for IT professionals and students in technical programs.
Focuses specifically on the critical role of communication during disasters, examining how the evolving media landscape, including social media, impacts information dissemination and public response. It provides valuable insights for professionals and students on effective communication strategies in a crisis. This is particularly relevant given the increasing reliance on diverse communication channels during emergencies.
Focusing on urban environments, this book provides a global survey of approaches to building disaster resilience in cities. Given increasing urbanization, this highly relevant contemporary topic. It offers insights into the unique challenges and strategies for disaster response in urban settings.
Focuses specifically on emergency management within the healthcare sector. It covers the principles and practices necessary for healthcare facilities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. This is an essential resource for healthcare professionals and administrators involved in disaster planning and response.
Practical guide to emergency preparedness and response for hospitals and healthcare systems, providing step-by-step instructions for developing and implementing emergency plans.
Is specifically designed for health professionals and provides guidance on how to prepare for and respond to disasters and emergencies. It covers topics such as disaster planning, mass casualty management, and infection control.
Provides a comprehensive guide to surviving off the grid, including topics such as finding food and water, building shelter, and treating injuries. It is written by a survival expert with decades of experience.
This essential guide provides detailed instructions on how to treat common medical emergencies in a disaster situation, including wound care, infection control, and pain management.
Written by a former International President of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), this book offers a powerful and personal reflection on the challenges and complexities of humanitarian action in the modern era. It provides valuable insights into the realities of working in humanitarian crises and the ethical considerations involved. is particularly relevant for those interested in the international and ethical aspects of disaster response.
Explores the application of Federated Learning (FL) and artificial intelligence (AI) in disaster management. It delves into how AI can be used for predictive modeling, resource allocation, and information sharing while maintaining data privacy. This highly relevant book for those interested in contemporary technological advancements in disaster management, aligning with the course topic of AI and Disaster Management.
Challenging conventional narratives of chaos during disasters, this book highlights the emergence of spontaneous communities and acts of altruism. It provides a sociological perspective on disaster response, emphasizing the resilience and solidarity of affected populations. This valuable read for those interested in the social dynamics of disasters.
A practical guide for emergency managers, this book covers the essential aspects of the profession, from planning to operations. It serves as a valuable reference tool for practitioners and students alike, offering actionable insights for managing emergencies effectively.
A practical guide specifically for NGOs involved in humanitarian aid, this book covers the operational aspects of managing relief programs. It provides a comprehensive reference for management issues likely to be encountered in the field. This valuable resource for practitioners in the humanitarian sector.
Offers a quick guide to implementing business continuity (BC) and disaster recovery (DR) plans to protect businesses. It covers safeguarding information, preventing data loss, and ensuring communication links are secure. It is particularly useful for business managers and organizations looking for a practical overview of BC/DR, including the role of the cloud. This book is valuable for gaining a broad understanding and can serve as a good starting point before diving into more technical details.
This handbook offers a comprehensive guide to business continuity management, which is closely related to disaster recovery. It provides detailed information on developing and implementing a robust BCM program. is valuable for those seeking a deep understanding of the broader context of BC alongside DR. It is suitable for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professionals aiming for a holistic view of organizational resilience.
Explores the concept of disaster resilience in urban areas within the context of sustainable development. It provides evidence-based techniques and case studies for building resilient cities and links disaster risk management with broader sustainability goals. This is particularly relevant for those interested in urban planning, environmental studies, and long-term disaster resilience.
Examines the political and policy aspects of disaster management and homeland security in the United States. It provides a critical analysis of how policy decisions shape disaster preparedness and response. This is important for understanding the broader context in which disaster response operates.
Focusing on the practical aspects of disaster planning and control, this book is particularly relevant for those in emergency services, such as fire officers. It uses case studies to illustrate key concepts and is designed to align with FEMA's Emergency Management Higher Education Program. useful reference for operational roles.
Covers the basics of disaster preparedness, including how to create an emergency plan, build an emergency kit, and stay safe during and after a disaster.
Provides guidance on how to prepare for and live off the grid in a crisis situation. It covers topics such as growing food, raising animals, and building a sustainable home.
Provides a guide to emergency response for faith-based organizations. It covers topics such as disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
Provides a guide to psychological first aid for field workers. It covers topics such as how to provide emotional support, how to manage stress, and how to refer people to mental health services.
Provides a comprehensive overview of emergency management, with a focus on the role of decision-making under uncertainty.
Provides a detailed guide to disaster recovery planning and implementation, with a focus on protecting and recovering digital assets. It covers analyzing risks, choosing backup strategies, and testing plans. While an older edition is referenced, the core principles remain relevant for understanding the foundational aspects of DR planning. This book is valuable for gaining a deeper understanding of the technical considerations in DR.
Provides guidance on how to treat injuries and illnesses in the wilderness or during a disaster. It covers topics such as first aid, wound care, and treatment for common medical conditions.

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