CDP releases 4th quarter training survey results

FEMA’s Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) recently released its training effectiveness report for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023.

Using student surveys and a comparison of pre-tests and final exams, the report gauges the degree to which students found their training to be appealing and relevant, as well as whether they gained what they hoped from the instruction.

This report was based on 351 non-resident and 2,486 resident student surveys recorded between July and September.

Among the results:

At the completion of their courses, all non-resident and more than  99 percent of resident students said the training made them better prepared to perform their duties, particularly in emergencies.

Average final exam scores were 92 and 93 points for non-resident and resident students, respectively; an increase of 37 points over the average pre-test scores for non-resident and an increase of 34 points for resident students. The CDP’s Training and Education Directorate considers a course to be highly successful if the difference between pre-test and final exam scores is greater than 27 points.

Student surveys cover not only student knowledge but also the quality of the instructors and course materials.

On a five-point scale, the quality of instruction received a 4.74 for the quarter and more than 99 percent of respondents said they would recommend the course(s) they took to others.