TEEX Introduces Course on Responding Effectively to Complex Incidents for First Responders and Emergency Managers

The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) has developed a new course for first responders and emergency managers to prepare them to effectively respond to complex emergency incidents that don’t occur often, but that have a high probability of significant consequences if not managed properly. Examples of complex incidents include active shooter situations, fast-moving natural disasters such as fires and floods, and attacks using explosive devices.

The 16-hour, in-person course, MGT308 Responding Effectively to Complex Incidents, is funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency (DHS/FEMA) through TEEX’s National Emergency Response and Recovery Training Center (NERRTC). It is delivered at no cost to agencies and jurisdictions by request and is designed for law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency management and security personnel, and individuals in healthcare and public works.

“Complex incidents are challenging to manage because they often evolve rapidly and unpredictably, involve significant hazards, and require a response from multiple jurisdictions and agencies,” said George Glenn, TEEX training manager. “This course is scenario-based and activity-driven to enhance incident response skills related to collaboration, priority-setting, decision-making and resource allocation. It prepares on-scene commanders to establish a Unified Command (UC) structure, with the goal of reducing the duration of the incident and the loss of life and property,” Glenn said.

Course topics include:

  • Rapidly recognizing an incident’s magnitude of complexity;
  • Collaborating successfully with other incident commanders from multiple jurisdictions;
  • Applying effective strategies to resolve the challenges and conflicts that may arise when multiple disciplines address a complex incident; and
  • Operating within a UC structure and achieving an effective transfer of command from one agency to another as needed throughout the incident’s life cycle.

For more information about the course, contact George Glenn at [email protected], (979) 500-6773, or access the course information here: https://teex.org/class/MGT308/.

Participants must create a MyTEEX account when registering for the course and have a FEMA student identification (SID) number. (Visit https://cdp.dhs.gov/femasid to obtain a SID). Participants also need access to a laptop or mobile device/tablet during the course to complete course testing and evaluations electronically.

About TEEX

The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) is an internationally recognized leader in emergency response training, workforce training and technical assistance. In 2024, TEEX trained more than 225,000 participants from every U.S. state and territory and 124 countries worldwide.

Major TEEX programs include Fire and Emergency Services, Infrastructure and Safety, Law Enforcement and Protective Services, and Business and Cyber Solutions. Additionally, through its National Emergency Response and Recovery Training Center (NERRTC), TEEX provides federally funded homeland security training and technical assistance for communities across the nation. The agency also sponsors the Texas A&M Public Works Response Team (TX-PWRT) and the Texas A&M Task Force 1 (TX-TF1) Urban Search and Rescue Team.

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Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service
Vita Vaughn | Director of Marketing and Communications/CMO