Introduction
As budget constraints continue to affect all departments of the Homeland Response Force (HRF), one must do more with less and that includes keeping the Digital Training Management System (DTMS) updated with all training performed by the 6th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Enhanced Rapid Force Package (CERFP) personnel. Training is offered at the regional office but due to the remote locations of some departments Training Specialists are forced to train on the job with limited training resources. A recent version was installed and it has added confusion. In order to help with the new version (v7), the HRF hired a consultant to assist any departments with questions but the contract is only for 30 days. Due to these limitations, the Operations and Planning section wants to create training videos and will require assistance from the HRF consultant and training days to complete the task.
Instructional Goal
Upon completion of this introductory module, each Training Specialist will be able to identify the major components of DTMS.
Performance Objective
The Performance Objective the Training Specialist will accomplish is:
- Using a training tracker (CN), the learner will identify the missing (B) Incident Command System (ICS) and other FEMA mandated requirements in DTMS with 100% accuracy (CR).
Learner Analysis
Prerequisite Skills: The Training Specialists in the Search & Extraction Unit, Decontamination Unit and the command group should be familiar with all the FEMA mandatory training requirements, the 2015-2016 Yearly Planning Guide, be able to navigate different training sites, a valid Common Access Card (CAC), basic computer skills and a security clearance.
Prior knowledge of the topic: Since this is an introductory training module, prior knowledge of DTMS is not required but helpful. One recommendation is for the Training Specialists to be familiar with the DTMS manual v7. The manual can be downloaded from the Knowledgebase found in the DTMS Help Center.
Attitudes toward the content and the delivery system: Since I have assumed the duties and responsibilities of overseeing all the mandatory training and briefings for the 6th CERFP, I met with the two Training Specialists from Laredo, four from Kingsville and the four from Round Rock to discuss what kind of DTMS training they would like to see implemented. All are in favor of five minute training videos.
Learner motivation: The personnel are energetic and willing to learn. Most of their DTMS knowledge is based through the on-the-job-training concept. They are looking for a better approach to streamline all reports as the organization is preparing for the 2017 Exercise Evaluation (ExEval). Since all training has to be uploaded in DTMS, Training Specialists are motivated to stay in compliance and are willing to seek any available training.
Learner educational background and ability: All ten Training Specialists have military experience and have been in their current position for more than one year. Only one was a Training Specialist during the 2014 ExEval which took place in Oklahoma. They all use DTMS on a regular basis to submit non-FEMA related monthly department training reports. Four have Search and Extraction backgrounds, all six have advanced Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) operations training, two oversee the three departments and one was recently reassigned from the Civil Support Team. Two are females while the rest are males. 77% are Hispanic and bilingual. Only two are college graduates. Of the two college graduates, one has a Criminal Justice degree while the other has a History degree with teaching experience. The age range is 26 to 43.
Learners’ preferences and learning styles: The Training Specialists prefer hands on training instead of PPT slides or PDF handouts with instructions. After I met with each one of the Training Specialists at the beginning of the fiscal year, they recommended the Operations and Planning section devise a different training approach for DTMS since other non-training requirements have to be completed. Reading through PPT slides and PDF files can be frustrating since some Training Specialists suffer from Post Traumatic Syndrome Disorder (PTSD) and the GoAnimate videos can be viewed anytime and anywhere without the need to read a lot of text.
Context Analysis
Content Resources: The content will be delivered online through the use of GoAnimate videos and each Training Specialist will have to download a copy of the DTMS User Manual v7.
Technology Resources: Since the training is not classified, the Training Specialists can utilize their assigned laptop and a non-secured internet connection or available Wi-Fi hotspot. Each person will ensure they have their own log in credentials and supporting browser for their laptop.
Instructional Facilities: The Training Specialists can work from their workstations or work as a group in a designated conference room. Each department will provide a Wi-Fi hotspot as a backup. The Operations and Planning section will be working from the HRF conference room during the initial phase of the training to support any issues or questions the departments might have.
Delivery System: A five minute video will be created on GoAnimate and will be saved in the shared drive for easy access by the Training Specialists and by anyone who has administrator rights for DTMS. The video will be an introduction on the capabilities of DTMS and the importance of uploading all FEMA related mandatory training.
The video will serve as a resource tool since the 6th CERFP has seen a constant turnover of Training Specialists due to other employment opportunities, reassignments, reduction in force, and promotions. Sometimes the leadership is unaware of DTMS and the video will provide a short overview. Since it will be uploaded to the shared drive, anyone who has access to the drive can save it on their desktop for future reference.
Development Timeline & Budget
The GoAnimate video should take at least one day to complete with the help of the HRF DTMS consultant. Development of the video will be done in the conference room since it is equipped with four monitors, a smart board, internet connection, a separate server, microphones and a multi-line phone.
Script development will be done in one day to ensure the critical parts of DTMS are covered in the video. Special arrangements will have to be done to utilize the conference room since multiple departments conduct weekly conference calls. The consultant does not require additional pay nor does the creator of the multimedia. Departments can hire the services of the consultant if they would like a classroom attendance approach and the cost estimate is listed below:
Hours: 40 hours @ $70/day = $350
Classroom Training = 4 days
Per Diem Cost= Kingsville $83, Laredo $98, Round Rock $0
Mileage= 57.4 cents per mile
Classroom Manuals = $0
Video: $0
Assessment of Learning Outcomes
| Performance Objective | Assessment |
| Using a training tracker, the learner will identify the missing Incident Command System (ICS) and other FEMA mandated requirements in DTMS with 100 % accuracy.
|
Quiz: Checking for Understanding
1. DTMS provides to store training calendars, schedules and records. a. the electronic filing cabinet 2. Which of the following is not part of the summary page after you log in? a. Alerts 3. Where can you find the Training Requirements Matrix? a. Standard Operating Guide 4. Do you need a security clearance to access DTMS? Yes/No 5. Complete the following puzzle: |
Jose A. Escobedo 