National Disaster Life Support Programs

In 2003, the American Medical Association (AMA), in partnership with four major academic medical centers and three national health care organizations, established the National Disaster Life Support (NDLS) training program to better prepare health care providers and emergency response personnel for mass casualty events. The program is designed for hospital and pre-hospital medical providers and allied health staff including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, respiratory therapists, pharmacists and others.

The NDLS courses emphasize a comprehensive all-hazards approach to deal with catastrophic emergencies from acts of terrorism as well as natural disasters, explosions, fires and public health emergencies resulting from infectious disease outbreaks. The series of courses includes:

• Basic Disaster Life Support Course
• Advanced Disaster Life Support Course
• National Disaster Life Support Instructor Course

Basic Disaster Life Support (BDLS):

A 1-day review of all-hazards topics such as the healthcare provider's role in the public health and incident management systems, community mental health and special needs of underserved and vulnerable populations. This course is designed for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, medical examiners, allied health professionals, health profession students, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, emergency management and disaster relief workers.

Topics include: All-Hazards Overview Natural and Man-Made Disasters Traumatic and Explosive Events Nuclear and Radiological Events Biological Events Chemical Events Psychosocial Aspects of Terrorism and Disasters The Role of the Public Health System

Prerequisites: None
6.5 Category 1 CME credits*
Certificate of Training, valid for 4 years

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Advanced Disaster Life Support (ADLS):

Advanced Disaster Life Support is an intensive 2-day course that allows participants to demonstrate competencies in casualty decontamination, essential skills and mass casualty incident information systems/technology applications. Attendees will engage in interactive sessions in which simulated patients are treated in various simulated all-hazards scenarios and mass casualty incidents. A blended learning approach develops the “hands on” skills to allow participants to apply the knowledge learned in BDLS.

Topics include: Hospital and Field Triage Techniques Medical Decontamination Legal issues of Disaster Response Media and Communications during a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) or Disaster Health Care Facility and Planning Community, State and Federal Disaster Responses and Resources Mass Fatality Incidents

Practical Stations include:

• The Use of Level "C" Suits and Decontamination
• Mass Triage and Treatment
• Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), Smallpox Vaccination and the Use of Mark I Kits
• Human Patient Simulator Scenarios

Prerequisite: BDLS
Medical background (physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, nurse or paramedic) required. Other individuals may audit the course but will not receive certificate.
13.0 Category 1 CME credits*
Certificate of Training, valid for 4 years

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National Disaster Life Support Instructor Training (NDLS-I):

The Instructor course provides participants who have successfully completed the ADLS provider program with the opportunity to strengthen skills acquired in the ADLS breakout stations. Upon ADLS instructor course completion, participants will be eligible to teach Core Disaster Life Support, Basic Disaster Life Support and Advanced Disaster Life Support courses.

Prerequisite: ADLS
Certificate of Training, valid for 4 years

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*CMEs are granted to medical providers by the American Medical Association. Other participants may be able to use the certificate of training to fulfill CEU requirements. Please contact your certifying organization for further information.

Contact us

Yale New Haven Center for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response
1 Church Street, 5th Floor
New Haven, CT 06510
Telephone: (203) 688-3224
Fax: (203) 688-4618
E-mail: center@ynhh.org