NOTICE: Effective April 16, 2026, FEMA has restored access to its Independent Study.

These courses are typically inaccessible during a lapse in appropriations, but FEMA is facing unprecedented circumstances. Users may now register for and complete these self-guided courses. However, FEMA's staffing and operations are still impacted by the lapse in appropriations. If users experience technical problems, FEMA staff are unable to provide assistance at this time. Please click here to read the full notice

Federal Emergency Management Agency | Emergency Management Institute

Independent Study

Picture of EMI Campus with Emergenct Mangement Institute sign in foreground and Buildings N and O in the background" title="The campus of FEMA's National Emergency Training Center, located in Emmitsburg, Md., offers a beautiful environment for first responders, emergency managers and educators to learn state-of-the-art disaster management and response.

IS-242.C: Effective Communication

Course Date

8/13/2021

Course Overview

This course is designed to improve your communication skills. It addresses: Basic communication skills; How to communicate in an emergency: How to identify community-specific communication issues; Using technology as a communication tool; Effective oral communication; How to prepare an oral presentation

Course Objectives:

Identify factors that contribute to and detract from effective communication.
Develop a strategy for ensuring that emergency communications meet the needs of the whole community, including those with access and functional needs.
Identify strategies for communicating effectively in emergency situations.
Identify strategies for improving your oral presentation skills.

Prerequisites

None

CEUs:

0.8

Course Length:

8 hours

Take This Course

Interactive Web Based Course

Final Exam

Take Final Exam Online

Notices

Test questions are scrambled to protect test integrity