Training
Every year since 2001, CRA has designed and delivered training tailored to the functional needs of customers in law enforcement, firefighting, emergency planning, public health, emergency response, and transportation services. During the past 12 years, we have trained more than 150,000 first responders and U.S. Marine Corps personnel.
We offer our clients a continuum of professional training services that includes:
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Designing and deploying training needs assessment to determine the training needs of specific personnel
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Developing training plans and strategies to guide agencies and organizations through a training continuum
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Evaluating and assessing the effectiveness of training courses and instructors
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Designing and delivering instructor-led training in a variety of homeland security issues and an array of homeland security professions
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Experience with Training Assessment/Validation
In addition to developing and conducting training, CRA has managed several projects focused on training assessment and validation.
Rural Law Enforcement Training Needs Assessment Survey. CRA is managing the Rural Law Enforcement Training Needs Assessment Project (National Training Needs Assessment and Training Validation) for the Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services (COPS), which is administering the project on behalf of the Rural Policing Institute (RPI), Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). We conducted a national-scope survey of law enforcement personnel operating in rural areas and in Indian Country regarding their training needs (related to both their law enforcement and emergency response functions).
TSA Cross Modal Training Needs Assessment. CRA has recently been tasked by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to conduct an analysis of the training requirements for the transportation modes under the 9/11 Act. We are conducting a comprehensive review of TSA courses, including developing an assessment survey that will be sent to providers of all transportation modes (such as transit, highways, commercial air, and private air divisions), and holding focus groups with key TSA stakeholders and a random sample of professionals working in each transportation mode. CRA will produce: (1) an Assessment Report, (2) a Training Program Plan, (3) a Training Content Plan (including course layout, sample storyboards for at least two training lessons, and the identification of course materials required by the plan), and (4) a 9/11 Training Plan, which will present our analysis of current training programs/courses available and identify gaps in TSA training requirements and existing training courses. We will recommend and develop training curriculum or programs for various levels of stakeholders (e.g., executive, management and frontline personnel).
Training Needs Assessment for Amtrak. In December 2006, CRA was awarded a contract to train Amtrak employees on Security Awareness in transit settings. We conducted an initial needs assessment of a random sample of managers and front line employees to determine the best approach for presenting the training to ensure participant retention of the information provided. We designed the training, conducted more than 853 training sessions for more than 12,000 Amtrak employees, designed and conducted Level 1 evaluations, and analyzed the results of those to continually revise/enhance the training. In follow-up to the initial training program, we also worked with select Amtrak managers to assess the type of additional emergency response training needed by their employees, such as Incident Command, terrorism awareness and prevention, and additional security awareness training. CRA also conducted a similar training series and Level 1 evaluation process for the Miami-Dade Transit Authority.
Training Plans and Strategies
Corporate Employee Security Training Plan. CRA produced an effective, updated Amtrak Employee Security Training Plan to support the development of a training program for the company’s approximately 18,000 plus employees—system-wide. The plan addresses how to teach those employees to be more aware of and respond appropriately to security events. To be effective, training must provide Amtrak employees with the tools necessary to practice (maintain) and contribute to the ongoing enhancement (refresh) of Amtrak’s security protocols and messages. The training plan outlines the type of courses that specific employees should be taking and the schedule for these courses to be updated.
Review and Assess Training Courses and Instructors
Review, Approval, and Audit of Terrorism and Catastrophic Preparedness Training Programs. Because of our expertise in homeland security and emergency preparedness and training, FEMA/DHS selected CRA to provide support to Training and Exercise Integration/Training Operation (TEI/TO) and its training partners in developing new courses and conducting training assessments (Course Reviews, Desk Reviews, and Instructor Audits) to certify/recertify new and existing training courses. The target audience for these training courses includes emergency prevention, protection, response, and recovery personnel, emergency managers, law enforcement and fire services, emergency medical services, HazMat, public works, public health, government administrators and public officials, and the private sector.
CRA managed and/or supported the Course Review Boards, including conducting reviews of Programs of Instruction, managing the planning and logistical arrangements for the Course/Desk Reviews and Instructor Audits and analyzing the findings of those, facilitating the post-review discussions with training providers (during on-site meetings or via conference call), and overseeing an extensive pool of highly qualified SMEs who conduct the reviews and audits. In the past year, we updated all the project procedures and assessment instruments to enhance review/audit management and outputs.
Aligning Training to the Target Capabilities List (TCL). In addition, FEMA selected CRA to support TEI/TO in developing a process for aligning their training courses with the target capabilities (including On-site Incident Command, Intelligence, Emergency Triage and Pre-Hospital Treatment, and CBRNE Detection and WMD/HazMat). The project was designed to support TEI/TO in ensuring that their sponsored training courses were helping the emergency response community in meeting specific target capabilities, as discussed in Homeland Security Presidential Directive 8 (HSPD-8).
Design and Deliver Customized Courses
We customization for clients include our highly successful course development and training for the U.S. Marine Corps and our customized training regimen for Puerto Rico's police department that incorporated Anti-Terrorism Awareness Training, HAZMAT with OSHA certification, and a hands-on workshop in analysis and investigation.
In providing individual courses, CRA customizes the training to provide a more effective learning experience. Our real-time, participatory course in National Incident Management System (NIMS) as well as our HAZMATwith OSHA certification are examples of taking the student beyond theory to actual hands-on practice. All courses taught by CRA can be customized to include training in several areas.
CRA is highly regarded for its expertise in Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). We have trained more than 150,000 first responders nationwide. Our training in WMD and HAZMAT with OSHA certification is comprehensive and effective. We have expanded the WMD and HAZMAT areas to include training in Chemical Protective Clothing which is now available to all first responders. Our instructors are active in the industry and provide up-to-date information on program issues and methods of incident response involving WMDs and HAZMAT.
CRA's Terrorism Awareness Course provides essential information for anyone in the frontlines against terrorists. As of January 2007, over 16,000 law enforcement personnel, security personnel and other first responders have taken the course. The SHOEBOXTM Workshop for Analysts and Investigators provides need-to-know information for both the novice and the more seasoned analyst and investigator. The Workshop facilitates the novice fusion center analyst to "hit the ground running," wasting little time in becoming functional.
Quality Instructors
CRA's instructor management program ensures that only the best instructors are employed. Coordination and delivery of training requires a team comprised of several levels of expertise. This includes professional trainers, developers, and coordinators on staff with CRA. Our trainers are employed by experience levels based on their credentials in their areas of expertise. CRA’s trainers have a minimum of five years experience as trainers in their specific areas of expertise as well as experience with adult learning theory.
Trainers are selected and retained as consultants for CRA based on demonstrated excellence as an instructor with specific competencies in their specific area of expertise. For example, our hazardous materials (HazMat) trainers must be certified to teach in the field of hazardous materials response by a nationally recognized authority.