| Frequently Asked Questions
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Course Registration Questions
County EM Director Questions
General Questions
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Course Registration Questions
The new site looks a lot different from the old one. How does it work?
We have recently updated our course registration system to allow online applications to FDEM courses and other
conferences, events, and exercises. Here's how it works:
- A member of the EM community views our training calendar, and decides on a training to attend.
The applicant follows the link titled "Apply for this Training", fills out the short online form,
and clicks "Apply Now".
- A confirmation email is sent to both the applicant and their county Emergency Management director, and the applicant
is immediately placed on the "Standby" list.
- Once the applicant is approved by their
county director and the FDEM staff, they are moved to the "Approved" list and automatically sent an email
confirming their approved status. Applicants must not attend a course without first being notified
that they have been approved to take the course.
The complete "Approved" and "Standby" lists can be found at the bottom of each Training Information page.
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Can I still apply by faxing my application in?
We strongly encourage all applicants to use the online application form. However, you can still
print an application
and fax it in to 850-488-6250. Please be advised that this may slow the application process.
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I am from a state agency, do I need approval from my county
emergency management director?
No. After receiving approval from your supervisor, the FDEM Training administrator will approve your application, and you will be notified of
your acceptance by email.
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What are the acceptance guidelines for FDEM courses?
The Division uses the Area Training Concept primarily to help make it convenient for participants
in certain areas of the state to attend courses without undue or lengthy travel.
Therefore, individuals from the host county and area where the course is
being held have first priority for acceptance.
When a course is not filled by individuals from the host area six weeks before
the course date, applicants will be accepted from any other area of the state on a first come,
first served basis upon approval of their respective county emergency management directors.
All applications received from non-host areas will remain on the "standby" list.
Applicants on the standby list will be added to remaining slots on the Approved Course
Participant List six weeks before the course date.
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My county is hosting a course, do I need to submit an application?
Absolutely. Instructors, course managers, and
training coordinators must know how many people will be attending the
course to be certain of the amount of materials to bring, and so that
there will be enough space in the classroom facility for attendees to
fit comfortably.
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How do I know when a course will open up to all areas?
Courses open up to all areas 6 weeks before the course start date.
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Why is the same course offered to more than one area?
When training needs assessments are conducted, some courses are
requested by multiple areas. Due to time restraints, some
courses cannot be offered multiple times throughout the state.
Giving areas that requested the course first priority will help to
insure the intended personnel receive the training they have
requested.
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If a course posting contains "To Be Announced" information, when will that information be posted?
Especially at the beginning of the state fiscal year, not all of the
details about each course have been confirmed. As soon as
information has been confirmed and received by the web coordinator it
is posted. It is recommended the web site be viewed often to
stay abreast of changes and additions to the course pages.
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If I am unable to attend a course I have been approved for, how do I
cancel?
Contact Linda McWhorter - Acting Training and Exercise Unit Manager
by e-mail at Linda.McWhorter@em.myflorida.com or by telephone
at (850) 413-9899 .
This will allow applicants who are on
the standby list a better chance of being approved to attend.
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I am unable to attend a course that I have been approved for. Can
I send someone from my agency as a substitute?
If there is a standby list for the course, substitutions will not be
permitted.
If there is no standby list for the course, please submit an
application for the substitute making note of the proper
cancellation. No approvals can be made without a signed
application.
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County EM Director Questions
How do I know when someone from my county has applied for a course?
Whenever an applicant from your county submits an online application, an email will
automatically be sent to you, informing you that you need to logon our
County Director Sign-In page
and approve them. If your email address changes, please contact Linda McWhorter - Acting Training and Exercise Unit Manager
at Linda.McWhorter@em.myflorida.com or
to make sure we have your most current contact information.
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How do I approve an applicant from my county on the new site?
Approving an applicant is very easy on our new system. Simply go to the
County Director Sign-In page,
log in with your given username and password, and view the applicants from your county. Their application status is listed
at the right side of the page, and the status codes are explained at the bottom. If an applicant needs your approval,
there will be a small check box showing in the column "Approve".
Check the boxes of the applicants you want to approve, and click "Submit" at the bottom of the page.
This informs us that you have approved the applicant(s), and once our FDEM staff approves them, they
will be moved to the "Approved" list.
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I received an email notifying me that an application has been submitted by someone from my county.
However, they work for a state agency and therefore don't need my approval. Do I need to do anything?
No. Our automated system simply emails the county Emergency Management director of the county where the
applicant is from. Our administrators will realize that the applicant does not need your approval and
will handle the application accordingly.
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General Questions
How do I request a course in my county?
- Contact your area coordinator.
- Provide feedback on the Training Needs Assessment, distributed by your
area coordinator each Spring.
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My question has not yet been answered, who can I contact?
Contact Linda McWhorter - Acting Training and Exercise Unit Manager
at Linda.McWhorter@em.myflorida.com or
(850) 413-9899 .
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