This section provides information and links from multiple agencies to trainings not only directly connected to the online course, but also additional suggested trainings. Unless stated otherwise, listed trainings are free for school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and junior colleges to attend. These trainings strengthen professional competencies in school safety and are structured to build practical knowledge.
TxSSC
Training and Exercise Toolkit
2.0 Trainings
Training and Exercise Development
IS-120: An Introduction to Exercises (FEMA)
This course introduces the basics of emergency management exercises. It also builds a foundation for subsequent exercise courses, which provide the specifics of the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP).
IS-130: How to be an Exercise Evaluator (FEMA)
This course introduces the basics of emergency management exercise evaluation and improvement planning. It also provides the foundation for exercise evaluation concepts and practices as identified in the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program.
IS-362: Multi-hazard Emergency Planning for Schools (FEMA)
This is a free online course that covers basic information about developing, implementing, and maintaining a school emergency operations plan (EOP).
IS-363: Introduction to Emergency Management for Higher Education (FEMA)
This is a free online course that provides institutions of higher education with knowledge and planning strategies to protect lives, property, and the environment by supporting operations more effectively within the context of comprehensive emergency management.
IS-700: An Introduction to the National Incident Management System (FEMA)
This is a free online course that provides an overview of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) which defines the comprehensive approach guiding the whole community to work together seamlessly in preventing, mitigating, protecting, responding to, and recovering from an incident.
IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction (FEMA)
This is a free online course that provides guidance for the whole community in responding to an incident. It is a required course for those districts seeking Federal Preparedness Funds.
Public Information Officer (PIO) Specific Training
Successful completion of any one of the four designated courses fulfills the statutory Public Information Officer training requirements as outlined in HB 33.
Bill Blackwood LEMIT Public Information Officer Course
A hands-on Public Information Officer (PIO) training from the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas designed for public safety personnel and administrators responsible for communication. It covers writing media releases, conducting interviews and on-camera briefings, engaging with social media, and handling public relations and crisis communications to improve agency credibility and effectiveness in routine and critical situations.
TEEX MGT-318 Public Information in an All-Hazards Incident
A two-day, all-hazards incident public information course focused on crisis communication in emergencies. It teaches the role of public information in incident management, meeting public and media information needs, integrating Joint Information Centers within NIMS/NRF frameworks, crafting initial public statements, planning press conferences, and developing crisis communication plans.
FBI-LEEDA Media and Public Relations Course
A four-and-a-half-day intensive law enforcement communications training that builds skills in media engagement, public image management, crisis communication, and social media. The curriculum includes media relations strategies, interview preparation and on-camera exercises, messaging development, and best practices for maintaining a positive public perception.
FBI-LEEDA Master PIO Course
An advanced, four-and-a-half-day seminar that builds on the Media & Public Relations course to elevate participants from tactical media skills to strategic public information leadership. Topics include brand image cultivation, internal/external communication strategies, proactive storytelling to media, crisis management planning, and producing quality video content for social platforms.