Disaster Information Specialization
The MLA Disaster Information Specialization provides training and recognition for librarians and others who rely on information for their work in disaster preparedness and response.
The specialization, developed by MLA and the National Library of Medicine (NLM), trains professionals to access, use, and manage information to support their institutions and communities in planning for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies and disasters.
All Specialization courses are offered at no cost.
There is a modest fee for reviewing applications and granting certificates.
Advance Your Career and Serve Your Community
The Basic and Advanced levels of the Disaster Information Specialization give you new, marketable skills that can help you advance your career and support your institution and community in times of disaster and public health emergencies.
Eligible Participants
The Disaster Information Specialization is designed for:
- Librarians, library staff, informationists, and information professionals, including those affiliated with medical, public, academic, special or any other types of libraries.
- Disaster workforce members, including health professionals, allied health professionals, public health workers, first responders, emergency managers, community volunteers, and others who play a role in health-related disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
See a list of current Disaster Information Specialization recipients.
Specialization Levels
Basic Level
The Basic Level of the Specialization demonstrates foundational skills and knowledge in:
- accessing essential health-related information to provide services for supporting disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
- the purpose and operation of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), the operational heart of coordinated efforts to address emergencies and disasters
- the purpose and operation of the Incident Command System (ICS) and how to coordinate with government and private-sector response partners
The Basic Level requires 15 CE credit hours of training:
Required:
- Disaster Health Information Sources: The Basics (Available online.) 3 MLA CE credits
- IS-700.B: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System (Available online) 3 CE credits
- IS-100.b: Introduction to Incident Command System, ICS-100 (Available online.) 3 CE credits
Electives:
- An additional six CE credits from among the Disaster Information Specialization offerings or NLM Training Courses & Resources Related to Disaster Health Information
You have three years to gather the credits needed to apply for the Basic Level of the Specialization. The Basic Level is valid for three years. To keep your Specialization valid, you must take eight credits every three years.
We recommend that individuals with the Basic Specialization use their three years to acquire the Advanced Level Specialization instead of maintaining Basic Level status. This requires only 12 more credits.
Advanced Level
The Advanced Level of the Specialization demonstrates advanced knowledge and skills in areas of special interest in Disaster Information. The Advanced Level require a total of 27 CE Credits: all the Basic Level requirements plus 12 additional credits. Select from the many offerings those that best serve your personal goals.
You can complete all the Advanced Level requirements in three years, or you can complete the Basic requirements in three years and take up to an additional three years to take 12 more credits for an Advanced Level.
You have three years to gather the credits needed to apply for the Advanced Level of the Specialization. The Advanced Level is valid for three years. To keep your Advanced Level of the Specialization valid, you must take eight CE credits every three years.
eLearning Courses: Get Started Now!
All MLA-approved Disaster Information Specialization courses
NLM Training Courses & Resources Related to Disaster Health Information
Completing the Application
- Complete required courses and credit for the Basic or Advanced level.
- Fill out an Individual Participant Request (IPR) form to receive credit for educational activities not approved for MLA CE credit or not on the NLM Training Courses & Resources Related to Disaster Health Information list of basic and advanced level courses.
- Pay the application fee by visiting the MLA Online Store. (members: $55, nonmembers: $75)
- Once you submit payment, you will receive a link to the online application.
- Complete the online application and upload your certificate(s) or other proof of completion (IPR form) for each course or activity submitted.
- MLA will process the application and, on approval, send you a certificate recognizing your level of achievement.
- MLA contact hours earned through the specialization may also be used for MLA's Academy of Health Information Professionals.
Resources
- NLM Disaster Information Management Research Center (DIMRC). NLM DIMRC develops and provides access to health information resources and technology for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery in order to connect people to quality disaster health information.
If you have questions about the planning of the Disaster Information Specialization program, please do not hesitate to contact Debra Cavanaugh.
This project is funded by the National Library of Medicine under contract HHS-N-276-2010-00782-P.