Syllabus
Master of Healthcare Administration
HCA 705 — Emergency Management – Spring A 2024
Credits - 3
Description
A hurricane is an amazing meteorological phenomenon until it becomes a disaster by coming in contact with humans. From an overturned tractor-trailer full of gasoline to a global pandemic, the philosophy of “proper prior planning prevents pathetically poor performance” applies. And that’s what emergency management does. Emergency managers and emergency management agencies are tasked with making sure that no matter what life throws at society, society is ready to respond. This course introduces you to the principles and practices of emergency management based on the structure developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Using a combination of readings, didactic materials, discussions, and participating in an interactive scenario, you will master the emergency management principles of preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. You will also complete a selected FEMA Independent Study session and be certified in several FEMA competencies that prepare you for work in emergency management.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
Program Outcomes addressed by this course:
-
Recognize and apply best practices in responding to an emergency
-
Evaluate and apply the design, implementation, and evaluation tools used in developing emergency preparedness training exercises
-
Develop emergency planning skills by identifying and assessing the components of the Incident Action Plan (IAP) for all hazards and its use by the National Incident Management System (NIMS)
Course Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
- List the steps of preparedness and explain how each step impacts the outcome of a disaster
- List resources available for local, state, regional, national, and international disaster response and explain the role of the incident command system (ICS) and the national incident management system (NIMS) in managing and effectively utilizing these resources
- Define mitigation and describe its place in the cycle of emergency management
- Identify key elements necessary for the successful recovery of individuals, communities, businesses, and governments after disasters.
- Detail the statutory authority that emergency managers, the Authority Having Jurisdiction, state governments, and the federal government have in the management of disasters
- Define an All-Hazards Approach to disaster management and develop the outline of a community-specific all-hazards plan
- Develop a plan for continuing ongoing professional development in emergency management
- Explain how participation in this course will improve the well-being of the participant’s community
Assignments
Please note that all times in the syllabus and in the course refer to Eastern Time. The discussion board and assignment links for each week will open at the start of the week for submissions.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assessment Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Weekly discussions (8 at 2 points each) | 16 |
| FEMA Training (5 at 3 points each) | 15 |
| Group Analysis Discussions (6 at 4 points each) | 24 |
| Week 7 Assignment: After Action Review | 20 |
| Week 8 Final Assignment: Lessons learned from the branching scenario | 25 |
| Total | 100 |
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
Course learning modules are divided into weeks. Each week starts on Wednesday at 12:00 am Eastern Time (ET) and closes on Wednesday at 11:59 pm ET, with the exception of Week 8, which ends on Sunday. All assignments must be submitted by 11:59 pm ET on the due date.
Course Schedule
Week 1: Jan 17 – Jan 24
Week 2: Jan 24 – Jan 31
Week 3: Jan 31 – Feb 7
Week 4: Feb 7 – Feb 14
Week 5: Feb 14 – Feb 21
Week 6: Feb 21 – Feb 28
Week 7: Feb 28 – Mar 6
Week 8: Mar 6 – Mar 10
| Learning Modules | Topics | Assignments Due |
|
Week 1 |
Introduction to Emergency Management |
Week 1 Discussion, Initial post due by Sunday at 11:59 pm, Responses by Wednesday at 11:59 pm. Week 1 Assignment, due Wednesday at 11:59 pm. Week 1 Group Analysis, due Wednesday at 11:59 pm. |
|
Week 2 |
Preparedness / Business Continuity Planning |
Week 2 Discussion, Initial post due by Sunday at 11:59 pm, Responses by Wednesday at 11:59 pm. Week 2 Assignment, due Wednesday at 11:59 pm. Week 2 Group Analysis, due Wednesday at 11:59 pm. |
|
Week 3 |
Statutory Authority |
Week 3 Discussion, Initial post due by Sunday at 11:59 pm, Responses by Wednesday at 11:59 pm. Week 3 Assignment, due Wednesday at 11:59 pm. Week 3 Group Analysis, due Wednesday at 11:59 pm. |
|
Week 4 |
Communication and Technology |
Week 4 Discussion, Initial post due by Sunday at 11:59 pm, Responses by Wednesday at 11:59 pm. Week 4 Assignment, due Wednesday at 11:59 pm. Week 4 Group Analysis, due Wednesday at 11:59 pm. |
|
Week 5 |
Response |
Week 5 Discussion, Initial post due by Sunday at 11:59 pm, Responses by Wednesday at 11:59 pm. Week 5 Assignment, due Wednesday at 11:59 pm. Week 5 Group Analysis, due Wednesday at 11:59 pm. |
|
Week 6 |
Recovery |
Week 6 Discussion, Initial post due by Sunday at 11:59 pm, Responses by Wednesday at 11:59 pm. Week 6 Assignment, due Wednesday at 11:59 pm. Week 6 Group Analysis, due Wednesday at 11:59 pm. |
|
Week 7 |
Mitigation |
Week 7 Discussion, Initial post due by Sunday at 11:59 pm, Responses by Wednesday at 11:59 pm. Week 7 Assignment: After Action Review due Wednesday at 11:59 pm. |
|
Week 8 |
Lessons Learned and Future Trends |
Week 8 Discussion – This is a short week! Initial post due by 11:59 p.m. ET Friday. Responses are due by 11:59 p.m. ET Sunday. Week 8 Final Assignment: Lessons learned from the branching scenario – This is a short week! This assignment is due by the last day Sunday, by 11:59 pm ET. |
Student Resources
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Questions? Visit the Student Support Health Informatics page
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Policies
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Course Evaluation Policy
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Attendance Policy
Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the full attendance policy.
Late Policy
Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.
Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.
Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
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