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.

Leadership and Experience in Training

Led by The Center for Rural Development, the Consortium is comprised of academic members that possess extensive experience and niche capabilities in developing and delivering homeland security curriculum to rural emergency responders. Each RDPC member organization is a well-known and respected institution of higher education with staff that are experts in their field of education and experienced in instructional design. By combining the expertise each institution has to offer into a cohesive educational partnership, RDPC is able to deliver training second-to-none.

The RDPC is composed of the following academic members:

To schedule training delivery in your jurisdiction, please select the training from our course catalog and complete the form under the Request Training section.

For more information about the Consortium, visit the RDPC Consortium Members page, or contact The Center for Rural Development at 606-677-6000 or our helpdesk at 1-877-855-RDPC (7372).