This performance-level web-based course is designed for individuals in the public and private sectors who are responsible for gathering and disseminating disaster-related information and who would like to increase their knowledge and understanding about social media and its uses during crisis communication to support organizational preparedness, response and recovery efforts.

The purpose of this performance level web-based training course is to provide an alternative, flexible and consistent delivery method (Boggs, 2008) for participants to obtain information on the use of social media as well as the acquisition of skills, knowledge, and understanding pertaining to the integration of social media in communication plans for disaster response and recovery.

The target audience for this performance-level course includes individuals representing various fields and disciplines who are responsible for gathering and disseminating disaster-related information throughout all the phases of the disaster cycle. In addition, the majority of these target audience participants will be novice social media users rather than experts.
 In the current instructor-led course, participants have come from disciplines such as Public Health, Firefighting, Emergency Management, Law Enforcement, Government Administrative, Search and Rescue, Information Technology, as well as Private Sector and Corporate Security and Safety. Their levels of government range from all levels of government including Federal, State, Local, and Tribal.

Basic computer and internet browser knowledge is necessary.

Participants will need access to a computer with a wireless or hardwired Internet connection.

To view the NDPTC Web-Based Training Courses it is important that the technical requirements are met prior to beginning the training. If you choose to view the training using an Internet browser, the content format will be HTML/HTML5 and is supported by the following browsers and operating systems.

• Google Chrome 14 or later on Windows or Mac
• Safari 5.1 or later on Windows or Mac
• Mobile Safari in Apple iOS 5.0 or later on iPad/iPhone

In some cases, you may need to have Flash Player 10 installed in order to view the training with in the Internet browser. You may download Flash Player 10 or later from here, and one of the following browsers:

• Windows: Internet Explorer 6 and later, Firefox 1.x and later, Safari 3 and later, Google Chrome, Opera 9.5 and later
• Mac: Safari 3 and later, Firefox 1.x and later, Google Chrome
• Linux: Firefox 1.x and later

If you choose to view the training using an Apple iOS device, the content may be viewed using the Articulate Mobile Player:

• Apple iOS 5.0 or later on iPad

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• Pre-test to be completed PRIOR to the course. Assists to assess familiarity with the course subject material.
• Post test to be completed at completion of course. To receive a FEMA issued Certificate of Completion, a post test score of at least 70% must be obtained.