The RDPC Commitment
The Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium (RDPC) realizes the nation’s rural and tribal emergency responders face unique challenges when compared to their urban counterparts. As such, RDPC is committed to providing small, rural, and tribal emergency responders and stakeholders with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to enhance the safety, security, and quality of life for their citizens through access to DHS certified training and resources developed specifically for rural practitioners and communities.
RDPC is leading the rural first responder training initiative by developing courses that are created using a rigorous, standardized curriculum development process that ensures consistency with the principles and priorities set forth by the National Preparedness System (NPS) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Once complete, the curriculum is certified and authorized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for delivery at no cost to tribal and rural communities nationwide.
To ensure that training directly reflects the needs of rural emergency responders, the Consortium convenes a national rural preparedness summit and completes a bi-annual national survey of rural stakeholders. Data gathered from these activities is used to determine the type of training needs, the extent to which it is needed, and the best delivery methods.
RDPC Background
In 2004 Congress recognized a need for consistent quality training, specifically among the nation’s rural and tribal first responder communities. To address the training gaps identified, Congress authorized the creation of the Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium (RDPC or the Consortium). In authorizing the Consortium, Congress noted “This new Consortium should provide a regional approach to rural first responder awareness level training, develop emerging training, and provide technical assistance in support of rural homeland security requirements.” (DHS 2005 Appropriations Act, Public Law 108-334; House Report 108-774).
Since inception, RDPC has remained an integral part of the DHS Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Training and Education System, which along with other national training entities, provides training resources utilizing a Whole Community approach. RDPC has successfully trained more than 100,000 rural and tribal practitioners through multiple modalities.