In 2003, the American Medical Association (AMA), in partnership with four major medical centers and three national health organizations, established the National Disaster Life Support (NDLS) training program to better prepare health care professionals and emergency response personnel for mass casualty events. The overarching goal is to standardize emergency response training nationwide and strengthen our nations public health system.

The NDLS courses stress a comprehensive all-hazards approach to help physicians and other health professionals deal with catastrophic emergencies from terrorist acts as well as from explosions, fires, natural disasters (such as hurricanes and floods), and infectious diseases, which are much more likely to occur.

In large-scale mass casualty events, physicians and other health care workers must be knowledgeable of the need for efficient coordination among local, state, and federal emergency response efforts; how to protect themselves and others from further harm; how to communicate effectively with other emergency personnel and the media; and how to address the unique psychological impacts and related social chaos that may ensue. By completing these courses, clinicians will better understand their integrated roles in the broader disaster response system.

The National Disaster Life Support Program courses were developed by the American Medical Association in collaboration with the National Disaster Life Support Education Consortium partners:

• Medical College of Georgia
• University of Georgia
• University of Texas (Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, School of Public Health Houston)

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Click here for NDLS Training Calendar

 

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