Information and Guidelines for Conducting 
a Fundamental Disaster Management Course
Thank you for your interest in sponsoring a Fundamental
Disaster Management (FDM) provider course. The suggestions
and guidelines below are intended to assist you in planning for
your course. The FDM Coordinator at the Society of Critical Care
Medicine (SCCM) will also be happy to answer questions or to
discuss your plans with you. The FDM Coordinator can be reached
by telephone (847) 827-6869, fax (847) 827-6886 or email fccs@sccm.org.
For guideline updates and the latest news on the FDM program, continue to visit the FDM website.
I. Overview of Administrative Process
§ Application submitted (online or paper)
§ Program costs paid to SCCM (see section III)
§ Course materials forwarded to approved course sponsor:
o Textbooks (purchased separately)
o Administrative Binder
o Slide set for presentations
o Skill station worksheets
Course conducted
Final course data mailed to FDM Coordinator at SCCM
SCCM issues Evidence of Successful Completion to successful participants
SCCM office maintains database of U.S. FDM providers/instructors and international instructors
II. Participant Interest
All health care providers wanting to be prepared to assist victims of man-made and/or natural disasters should take the Fundamental Disaster Management Course (FDM). This includes physicians of all specialties, nursing professionals, and healthcare providers who may need to care for critically ill or injured individuals in the aftermath of a disaster.
III. New Pricing Structure Now Available
Prices are subject to change without notice. Payment must be received in full before course materials are shipped.
The FDM sponsor licenses listed below may only be sold to non-profit organizations or medical institutions. Purchase by individuals is prohibited. Corporate purchasers must follow separate guidelines for corporate sponsorship.
Sponsors residing in developing or impoverished nations may purchase a discounted license.
Please call the SCCM office at (847) 827-6869 for more information.
License Fee includes:
§ Course Presentation Materials
§ Administrative Binder
§ Shipping and handling for license materials within the U.S.
Additional expenses to consider:
§ A National FDM Course Consultant is required at the first course. He or she will also serve as an FDM instructor. Honorarium for the course consultant is at your discretion. (Contact SCCM for a list of FDM National Consultants)
§ Travel expenses will be necessary for FDM consultants and/or instructors. SCCM recommends inviting guest faculty from your local area.
§ Lecture rooms
§ Skill station equipment
§ Audio-visual requirements
§ Catering
§ Fees for accreditation of continuing education credit
§ Postage for promotional brochures
§ Textbooks
IV. Skill Station Equipment Required
Station I: Personal Protective Equipment and Procedure
§ Fluid impervious gowns
§ Powered air purifying respirator
§ N95 respirators (ideally in multiple sizes)
§ Face shields
§ Mannequin that can undergo endotracheal intubation
§ Portable negative pressure with hepa filter unit
Station II: Alternative Positive Pressure Ventilation
§ Puritan Bennett 840 ventilator or similar model
§ Test Lung
§ Impact Uni-vent Eagle 754 ventilator (if possible, in kits similar to SNS), with ventilator circuit
§ Puritan Bennett LP-10 with ventilator circuit, external PEEP valve or similar model
§ Oxygen cylinder with 50-55 psi connection on cylinder
V. Disclaimer
SCCM will issue a statement of successful completion for the course. Neither the SCCM, FDM National Committee, nor FDM instructors certify competency or any level of knowledge or procedural skill following the provider course. It is highly recommended that you also avoid such terminology in your discussions with participants and through your marketing. The recommended terminology avoids the terms “certified” or “competency” but emphasizes the benefits of new knowledge and limited exposure to selected procedures. The course participants must be aware that the course is not intended to provide expertise in the care of critically ill and injured patients, but to provide some knowledge and training skills to assist patients following a man-made or natural disaster occurrence. The SCCM also cannot be responsible for any curriculum material added to the course by individual instructors or course directors.
VI. Copyright
All course materials are copyrighted by SCCM and cannot be reproduced. The FDM Textbook may be sold separately as a reference textbook for interested parties.
VII. Marketing
SCCM will publicize your course or courses in the FDM Calendar section of the SCCM Web Site, FCCS/FDM Newsletter BEAT and course schedules mailed from SCCM Headquarters.
VIII. Overall Course Design and Responsibilities
A. Modular design concept: The curriculum is presented as a series of largely independent subject sections or modules. This organization allows emphasis or de-emphasis of some modules according to the existing knowledge base of the participants. It is important to remind the participants that the post-test will include items from all areas of the text, lectures, and skill stations. It is therefore important that the FDM textbook be carefully read so that participants may attain a minimum score of (70%) on the post to successfully complete the course.
B. Although this course is normally given in one day, it is possible to have a modular schedule and spread the course over a longer period if that seems necessary for your needs.
C. Instructor latitude: In order to assure the quality and integrity of the standardized FDM curriculum, instructors must present the course content according to the textbook, Instructor slides, and skill station lesson plans. Personal bias should not be presented.
D. Course Personnel
1. FDM Consultant: An SCCM-approved instructor experienced in the delivery and management of the FDM program who serves as a planning and on-site resource to the Course Director. The FDM Course Consultant is required for the first course only.
2. Course Director: An FDM instructor who assumes faculty leadership and assures the course is conducted according to the SCCM standards. The Course Director responsibilities include full responsibility for course quality.
• Determines pass/fail standards for skill stations, attendance and other aspects of course, except for the post-test.
• Presents introductory lecture reviewing purpose of course and expectations of participants. (70% correct on post-test; satisfactory passing of skill stations)
• Is present for the duration of the course.
• Presents final decision during any conflicts throughout the course and is liaison to SCCM for any appeals/grievence initated by participants.
• Assumes responsibility for approving pre-course planning, course coordination, arrangements, etc.
3. Faculty: Please see instructor criteria memorandum. A minimum of three faculty members is logistically necessary to conduct the course. SCCM requires at least two FDM instructors on the faculty for any FDM course. SCCM recommends 50% of the faculty be FDM trained. The other 50% of the faculty should be from the sponsoring institution and represent as many specialties as possible. A multiprofessional approach is recommended.
4. Course Coordinator: Usually a non-physician to whom the clerical and logistical responsibilities are delegated. The FDM Coordinator for the licensed sponsor needs to work closely with the FDM Coordinator in the SCCM office and an experienced course manager. The course director must be immediately available for assistance once course has been approved.
IX. Continuing Medical Education Credit
SCCM does not have direct involvement (coordination of faculty, participants, budgets, etc.) therefore SCCM cannot take responsibility for issuing CME/CE credit to course participants. If the hospital or course sponsor is a national or state accredited CME/CE provider they may wish to grant CME/CE credit for their FDM course. Typical credit for a 1-day course would be 8.00 CME for physicians, 8.5 contact hours for nurses and pharmacists.
Thank you again for your interest in the FDM program. If you have questions, please contact the FDM Coordinator, at info@sccm.org or +1-847-827-6869, between 8 AM and 5 PM Central Time.
Lecture Topics
• ICU Microcosm with Disaster Medical Response
• Augmenting Critical Care Capacity during a Disaster
• Mass Casualty Burn Care and Critical Care Management of Conventional Explosion
• Critical Care Response to Natural Disasters and Mass Casualty Crush Syndrome
• Critical Care during Epidemics
• Critical Care Management of Radiological Exposures
• Special Populations: Caring for Critically Ill Children and Chronically Critically Ill People during Disasters
• Sustained Mechanical Ventilation Outside of Traditional ICUs
• Disaster Triage and Allocation of Scarce Critical Care Resources
Skill Stations
• Personal Protective Equipment and Procedures
• Alternative Positive Pressure Ventilation
Sample Course Schedule
If you are planning a course, please note that every program can be adapted to fit the educational needs and schedules of the participants. Most FDM COURSE follow a two day format. However, some choose to arrange their program differently, as shown in the examples at the right. When arranging your schedule, remember that all topics must be included in each course.
The schedule listed follows the one-day format used by most FDM COURSES. Click here to view the sample course schedule.