The National Disaster Life Support (NDLS™) program addresses the need to train physicians and other health and safety professionals in their roles and responsibilities as part of an integrated disaster response. Developed by the American Medical Association (AMA) and National Disaster Life Support Foundation™ (NDLSF™), this program is designed to help standardize emergency response training nationwide and, in turn, strengthen our nation’s health system.

Using a proven curriculum that emphasizes an all-hazards, multidisciplinary approach, the NDLS multi-course program can enhance your participation and effectiveness as part of the overall disaster response system. Whether natural disaster, potential terrorist attack or some other form of public health emergency, NDLS courses will help hone your knowledge and skills in responding appropriately and effectively when disaster strikes.

The NDLS program works from the DISASTER Paradigm™, an approach implemented to best organize the provider’s preparation and response to disaster management. The paradigm is built on the following principles: Detect, Incident command, Scene security and safety, Assess hazards, Support, Triage and treatment, Evacuation, and Recovery. Working from this model, the program emphasizes an all-hazards approach and addresses each of these principles in a way that assesses the status of a disaster situation and anticipates future needs.

Basic Disaster Life Support (BDLS) — March 8

The basic course emphasizes an all-hazards approach to mass casualty incident management and facilitates ongoing qualitative and quantitative assessment of an incident. The recognition and management of the disaster scene and victims is reinforced through the DISASTER Paradigm. The concept of MASS Triage™ is introduced. In addition, the BDLS course adds critical information on the role of the health care professional in the public health and incident management systems, community mental health, and special needs of vulnerable populations.

This awareness-level course is ideal for physicians, nurses, paramedics and EMS professionals, physician assistants, allied health professionals, dentists, pharmacists, mental health professionals, health professions faculty and students, public health professionals, veterinarians, and emergency management professionals.

Advanced Disaster Life Support (ADLS) — March 9-10

The advanced course is a practicum course for those who have successfully completed the BDLS course. It prepares participants for mass casualty decontamination, use of personal protective equipment, essential disaster skills, mass casualty incident communications and technology applications. The course uses simulated scenarios, interactive sessions and drills with high-fidelity mannequins and volunteer patients to provide a true-to-life, practical experience in treatment and response. The course is presented over two days—Day 1 is primarily instructional, and Day 2 incorporates hands-on training distributed over four advanced training stations.

NDLS Instructor Course — March 11

The instructor course is a four-hour course to prepare advanced providers for instructing all levels of NDLS program courses. It is for physicians, nurses, physician assistants, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, dentists, veterinarians and allied health professionals who have successfully completed the ADLS course. An application is required for this course. Contact Charlie Bryan, 816-701-8334, for details.

Registration:

Please RSVP by e-mail to Beverly Wilson. Make sure to include your name, address, organization, work phone and fax.

Class sizes are limited. Register now!