Rising global health emergencies necessitate a skilled emergency medical workforce. While younger professionals possess strong digital skills, their application in emergency medicine is often lacking. Our EMT modules integrate these skills into medical school curricula, bridging this gap and preparing future healthcare providers for complex crises.

To enhance the knowledge, attitudes, and practical skills of medical students in EMT principles and practices, thereby strengthening the global emergency workforce.

Developed through collaboration among emergency medicine, digital health, and education experts, the curriculum provides a comprehensive educational experience. It includes a theoretical overview of EMT frameworks, emphasizing the structure, roles, and responsibilities within emergency medical teams. Additionally, it enhances digital health literacy, training students in navigating electronic health records, data privacy and security, telemedicine integration, and AI tools in clinical decision-making. Interactive simulations and scenario-based learning reinforce these concepts, allowing students to refine their skills in a safe environment.

Integrating EMT modules into medical curricula revolutionizes healthcare education. By bridging the gap between experienced professionals and digital natives, this innovative approach equips future doctors to excel in emergency medicine and effectively address global health crises.

The EMT modules proposed for medical school curricula aim to enhance the skills and preparedness of future healthcare professionals. By improving EMT capacity and effectiveness, this initiative ensures better preparedness and response to global health events. Empowering national EMTs through targeted training contributes to a more secure and resilient global health landscape, enhancing the healthcare system’s ability to respond promptly and effectively to public health crises.

The episodic nature of crises necessitates the right-siting of resources. By leveraging the capabilities of the private sector, the MOH can remain focused on its core functions without being encumbered by logistics management and manpower concerns.

In under 18 months, The Ministry of Health (MOH) of Singapore advanced the Singapore Emergency Medical Team (SGEMT) classification by adopting a whole-of-government and private sector collaborative approach.

In-depth appreciation of WHO EMT requirements and recognition of MOH own limitations, MOH tapped into the expertise of medical practitioners and incorporated insights from the Singapore Armed Forces and Singapore Civil Defence Force, who brought valuable experience from past humanitarian missions.

MOH made the strategic decision to outsource non-core functions such as warehousing, equipment maintenance, and ready-pool of technicians that can be rapidly mobilized. These functions were outsourced to a stringently selected service provider.

To complement these efforts, the MOH engaged in learning from regional partners, participating in study trips, and regional exercises. This ensured a comprehensive understanding of best practices from the EMT global community. Additionally, the MOH participated in regional disaster response framework, which includes the ASEAN EMT SOP.

The MOH’s foresight in partnering with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has fortified the SGEMT’s global operational capabilities, ensuring support from Singapore’s diplomatic network worldwide when required.

This strategic alliance underscores Singapore’s dedication to global health security and exemplifies a proactive approach to emergency preparedness and response, demonstrating the nation’s readiness to tackle crises effectively.

This strategic alliance underscores Singapore’s dedication to global health security and exemplifies a proactive approach to emergency preparedness and response, demonstrating the nation’s readiness to tackle crises effectively.

To familiarize potential national EMT stakeholders with the concepts and objectives of the EMT initiative and to involve them in its implementation, an EMT awareness workshop has been developed as a global advocacy tool. The results of the workshop implementation in the WHO European Region indicated that a new approach is needed to address the specific learning needs of the different country contexts and target audiences, which vary in their level of EMT awareness.

To develop a novel workshop design, based on the experience of the EMT awareness workshops conducted in the WHO European Region and on the needs assessment, that addresses the following necessities:

• flexibility of the curriculum to suit the audience’s level of knowledge and time constraints;

• the context of the host country to ensure audience engagement.

A new workshop development process involved analysis of previous EMT awareness-raising activities, brainstorming by the working group, and experimentation with the delivery of the pilot workshops by REECH.

The new EMT awareness workshop has the following characteristics:

• modular structure of the curriculum, providing three levels of complexity and detail for of each module;

• the core interactive exercise using the national data of the host country on geographical, demographic, and epidemiological conditions, risks, and hazards of emergencies, and on capacity of health services.

The new EMT awareness workshop provides a flexible and targeted approach to consider the audience’s baseline level, the context of the host country, and time constraints, which also allows for the intermittent mode.

Israel is prone to a major earthquake along the Jordan Valley which will have a devastating impact on Jordanians, Palestinians, and Israelis. Magen David Adom Israel partnered with other national societies and is working together with the Israeli authorities to prepare for such an eventuality.

To describe the processes of the preparation work done in Israel, identify the main results, and lessons learnt.

The activities followed this methodology:

• A mapping exercise of the main issues to be addressed across different sectors.

• Series of joint multi-sectoral workshops with the relevant stakeholders to discuss the issues identified.

• Formulating the respective SOPs of the different stakeholders.

• Series of joint multi-sectoral workshops with the relevant stakeholders to discuss the issues identified.

• Formulating the respective SOPs of the different stakeholders.

Main results:

• Dedicated immigration procedures

• Dedicated customs procedures, including import permits including customs clearance and transport to the operations site.

• Health EoC to be tasked with handling arriving EMT and monitoring their operation.

• EMT to be embedded into existing Israeli health care facilities.

• Overcoming gaps in pain medication (controlled substances) and new generation antibiotics.

• Working with hospitals expected to receive an EMT on a joint deployment SOP

While many issues identified in the processes were resolved with many positive outcomes, there is still a list of other issues still pending decisions, which are in the future work plan. In order to sustain the results, and ensure their validity over time, an ongoing cooperation, nationally and with the international partners, including simulations, is essential.

In May 2024, German EMTs ASB, Cadus, Humedica and Johanniter conducted a joint disaster response field exercise including a Cholera outbreak scenario. The RRML CIBU (Cellule d’Intervention Biologique d’Urgence) from Institut Pasteur, France, embedded in an EMT, supported the exercise. Amateur actors presented injuries and cases of acute watery diarrhea with different levels of severity. Dummy samples were collected and transported to the RRML for analysis. An external IPC-Team from the German Robert Koch Institute conducted facility assessments to provide Cholera-specific IPC advice and training.

To assess

1. 1. the implementation of Cholera-specific IPC measures.

2. 2. the need for and benefit of external IPC support.

3. 3. the interoperability between EMTs and RRML.

Qualitative evaluation through observation and interviews.

All EMTs (n=4) had access to IPC guidelines and personal protective equipment (PPE) and implemented active screening for signs of infection (n=4). 75% (n=3) of the EMTs actively isolated suspected cholera cases. EMTs underlined the benefit of external IPC support (n=3) and training provided (n=4). 48 EMT staff were trained in donning/doffing of PPE and management of spill events. The RRML provided transport material and training on packaging of samples. Occasional contamination of the outer packaging and incorrectly filled-in lab forms were reported. Sample transport was aligned to lab schedule.

The EMTs adapted competently to the Cholera scenario. Interoperability with the RRML was satisfying. The IPC team was seen as important support. Lessons learned included the need for improved isolation precautions, packaging of samples and completion of lab forms.

The WHO EMTCC coordinated responses to Cyclone Idai in Mozambique (2019), the refugee crisis in Moldova (2022), the earthquake in Türkiye (2023), and the humanitarian crisis in Cairo (2024). Each event presented unique Information Management (IM) challenges.

Analyze and compare WHO EMTCC Information Management practices across these crises, identifying specific challenges and implemented solutions.

• Disaster: Cyclone Idai

• Impact: Infrastructure destruction, numerous casualties

• Information Management: Diverse data collection, weak real-time updates, lack of unified management, poor communication infrastructure

• Disaster: Refugee crisis from Ukraine invasion

• Impact: Overburdened medical system

• Information Management: Fragmented EMT management, information overlaps, language barriers, stable communication infrastructure

• Disaster: Major earthquake

• Impact: Building collapses, numerous injuries

• Information Management: Improved use of tools like MDS, rapid data collection, multi-national team coordination challenges, real-time sharing needs, lack of domestic EMT data

• Disaster: Palestine Humanitarian Crisis

• Impact: Numerous casualties, infrastructure damage

• Information Management: Secretive management, high-security needs, limited internal sharing, independent coordinator decisions

Mozambique highlighted the need for digitalization and unified data systems. Moldova emphasized unified platforms and pre-registration processes. Türkiye showed progress in data tools but needed better real-time systems and domestic coordination. Cairo underlined secure and efficient information sharing in high-security contexts.

WHO EMTCC’s IM practices varied across disasters. Common challenges included unified data management, real-time sharing, and multi-national team coordination. Future efforts should standardize protocols, improve communication infrastructure, and enhance WHO EMT Initiative training. The Japan Disaster Relief team’s contributions provided valuable insights for future improvements.

Migration and forced displacement are remodeling cities and countries. The number of people being displaced due to war, persecution, serious human rights violations and disturbance in social and political order has increased exponentially. Colombia is a vivid example of a massive mixed migration crisis, receiving refugees from Venezuela, crossed by migrants of various origins and a protracted internal displacement affecting mostly its Pacific Region.

The purpose of this study is to showcase the field experience of the Colombian EMT Hospital Barco San Raffaele through its response to two forced displacement crises: (1) in Colombia’s Pacific Region, and (2) Venezuelan refugees, aiming at providing evidence for the improvement of EMTs Type1 Standards of care.

Mix method case study methodology is employed to describe a complex phenomenon of mixed-migration. Data is gathered from response reports, program activities, clinical presentations; data will be analyzed using triangulation method, allowing comparison between adaption of health services, configuration of teams, legal frameworks, using the surge capacity components (4S) and current standards of care for Type1 EMTs.

Preliminary analysis shows the need to adapt services and configure teams to respond to volatile contexts; collaboration, negotiation, coordination, interoperability with local institutions, organizations and community leaders prove to be key to ensure credibility, access, and quality of care.

Enabling factors such as legal frameworks have a major impact/influence in ensuring access to care to displaced populations, facilitating or preventing responses. EMTs Type 1 Standards of care must be adapted if teams are to respond to this worldwide phenomenon.

In February 2022, Russia launched an offensive in Ukraine, resulting in significant casualties to civilians, including children. As part of an academic/NGO partnership, a novel pediatric trauma fundamentals course (PTF) was developed to provide pediatric trauma education to frontline healthcare providers across Ukraine.

The objective of the program was to develop, implement, and evaluate a novel PTF educational course in the active conflict zone of Ukraine.

A two-day PTF course was internally developed and implemented in Ukraine from November 2022 to December 2024. Training effectiveness was assessed using the RE-AIM framework. Participants completed pre- and post- assessments in knowledge and self-confidence and critical skills were assessed against objective skill checklists. Change in knowledge and self-confidence were analyzed, respectively, with the nonparametric Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test and McNemar’s test for paired data. Anonymous course evaluations were solicited after each course. Six-week follow up surveys assessed skill utilization and stewardship.

446 Ukrainian healthcare providers were trained during 30 courses across eight oblasts in Ukraine during the intervention period. Aggregated knowledge and self-confidence significantly improved across all measures. Ukrainian instructors received higher scores on instructor evaluations compared to international instructors. Six-week follow-up surveys demonstrated participants had positive views of the training, used the training on patients, and taught the material to others.

Our PTF course implementation demonstrates a successful partnership-based model for implementing pediatric trauma education in an active conflict zone. Implementation challenges can be mitigated through partnership-based models between academic institutions and organizations with local implementation expertise.

The Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) plays a crucial role in international humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Effective administration and organizational management are vital for the success.

This study compares KDRT’s administration and organizational management with other emergency medical teams (EMTs) through a comprehensive literature review, ultimately providing recommendations to strengthen KDRT’s framework.

Using PRISMA methodology, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across major databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library based on their relevance to EMT initiatives, administration and organizational management, and disaster response strategies. Articles were analyzed to identify governance structures, defined roles and responsibilities, and regular organizational evaluations with SWOT analysis.

Out of 20,343 articles, 18 were selected. The review identified key aspects of effective administration and organizational management in EMTs, including clear governance structures, well-defined roles, and continuous evaluations. For articles not included in the KDRT system, the SWOT analysis revealed strengths such as local knowledge (Japan), strong frameworks (USA), and clear funding strategies (Finland). Weaknesses included limited scalability (Japan), bureaucratic delays (USA), and funding limitations (Finland). Opportunities were found in community engagement (Japan), streamlined processes (USA), and increased donor engagement (Finland), while threats included policy misalignment (Japan), administrative burdens (USA), and financial instability (Finland).

This study highlights the need to reinforce KDRT’s administration and organizational management to improve its disaster response efficiency. Recommendations include improving resource allocation, integrating local knowledge, simplifying processes, diversifying funding, and enhancing transparency. By addressing these areas, KDRT can enhance its capability to provide effective humanitarian assistance and disaster relief internationally.

This study explores the role of Information Management (IM) in disaster management, through the use of the Minimum Data Set (MDS). The International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) Asia-Pacific Regional Earthquake Response Exercise (ERE) and the Project for Strengthening the ASEAN Regional Capacity on Disaster Health Management (ARCH Project) have provided platforms for such exploration. As an exercise controller, my involvement has focused on supporting the EMTCC from the IM perspective.

The primary objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of IM, through MDS, in supporting EMTCC during disaster response exercises and actual disaster scenarios.

Participation in regional collaboration drills and real-world disaster scenarios provided insights into IM practices. Key activities included supporting EMTCC during exercises, assisting the Moldovan government and WHO regional office affected by the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, and collaborating with WHO’s regional office (EMRO) for Palestinian support in 2023. IM support involved data collection, situation analysis, and the ongoing provision of off-site support for MDS implementation.

The exercises and real-world engagements demonstrated significant growth in national EMTs’ capabilities and highlighted the critical role of IM. The MDS-supported IM processes effectively facilitated data collection and analysis, enhancing coordination and decision-making.

Ongoing training and support for EMTCC through IM are vital for effective disaster response. The study underscores the importance of structured IM in improving disaster management and the operational readiness of EMTs. Future efforts should continue to focus on refining IM practices and enhancing data management capabilities to ensure robust responses to health emergencies.

In the event of CBRN mass casualty incidents, a specialized approach is essential that includes decontamination procedures. There are two types of decontamination systems most often used for CBRN incidents: wet and dry. While wet decontamination is more common, it can be problematic in cold weather or when logistical equipment is unavailable. This scoping review seeks to assess the effectiveness of dry decontamination.

Evaluating the effectiveness of dry decontamination methods for mass decontamination.

A scoping review was done on dry decontamination using various databases, including MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus. Following the PRISMA approach, nine eligible articles were included in this scoping review. The methods of dry decontamination, types of decontamination materials, methods of analyzing decontamination, and the main conclusions from each study were extracted, summarized, and compared.

The review found that dry decontamination is an effective method (4 articles), particularly when dealing with liquid contaminants (1 article). However, its efficacy diminishes in cases of more hairy parts of the body (1 article) and when dealing with chemicals in particle form. Effectiveness of dry decontamination varies depending on the material used and the chemical agent involved (3 articles). Moreover, the technique of blotting and rubbing was found to increase effectiveness (1 article).

This scoping review found that dry decontamination can be effective and may be an alternative to wet decontamination in CBRN mass casualty incidents, particularly for liquid contaminants. Its effectiveness varies depending on factors such as the type of contaminants, and the decontaminant material used.