Integrating emergency preparedness competency frameworks in workforce development training

Public health and emergency workforce development have been major topics of interest during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The fragile state of many healthcare systems worldwide during emerging outbreaks revealed the need for regular competency-based training. The training helps to equip and remind health professionals how to tackle huge obstacles that need to be handled in emergencies. This paper will examine an emergency preparedness training course we have developed and delivered multiple times. The course involved development, delivery, case scenario training, participant assessment, and a programme evaluation. A descriptive study based on the ten essential public health functions, with the competencies for each function examined. The evaluation showed that the curriculum was well-received, and 55 % of the participants could apply what they learned through a survey. Furthermore, the evaluation indicated a need to hold this training course frequently. Designing such courses could fill the gaps that emerged during life-threatening previous outbreaks. All participants passed the assessment with a minimal score of 63 % and the highest score of 93 %. The curriculum's design based on competencies needed for planning and preparedness for effective response to emergencies was well received and proved practical. Regular reminders of the tools needed, and their application are crucial. Learning and practising are critically important to tackling disasters, including mass gatherings.