This 3-day course provides participants with the knowledge and skills to perform the Data Support Coordinator (DSC) position. It covers the roles and responsibilities of a DSC and the relationship of the DSC to other positions in the Incident Command System (ICS). The course includes the following modules:  Introduction, ICS for the DSC, Data Planning, Data Response Management, Data Collection Tools, Data Analysis-Visualization Tools, Data Deliverables, Data and the Privacy Act, Closing Wrap-Up and a half day exercise. This course also contains mini modules entitled “Soft Skills for Success” to highlight and exercise important soft skills necessary to perform the DSC function well. The goal of this course is to train a cadre of DSCs to lead data support teams and to provide support to the IMT for response data needs while advocating for sound data management practices.

This course is intended for U.S. EPA personnel who have performed data support functions in an emergency response scenario or perform data support functions in their regular job and have interest in performing emergency response data management coordination functions. This course is REQUIRED for all who wish to perform this role on a national response after 4/30/2025. This course is also recommended for U.S. EPA personnel who deploy, or intend to deploy, to emergency responses and will work closely with the DSC as part of their deployment (e.g., IC, OPS, LNO, PIO, and ENVL roles).

Target Group
This course is intended for U.S. EPA personnel who have completed Incident Command System ICS-100, ICS-200, IS-700, IS-800, ICS-300, and ICS-400 level courses and who have been identified to fill the Data Support Coordinator position on an Incident Management Team.

Objectives
After completing the course, participants will be able to:

• Define the role and responsibilities of the Data Support Coordinator (DSC) within the Incident Command System (ICS) structure.
• Identify the major functions of the DSC and their specific responsibilities.
• Describe the duties and assignments of DSC assistants.
• Be able to thoroughly understand the varied data collection, analysis-visualization tools, data deliverable tools.
• Thoroughly understand the DSC's roles and responsibilities specific to Privacy Act responsibilities.
• Describe the U.S. EPA structure for managing data during a NSI.
• Explain how the DSC interacts, within the ICS structure, with EPA Regional Offices and EPA Headquarters.
• Describe the approval process for data support coordinator products.
• Understand the roles and responsibility of the DSC to community relations.

In compliance with Executive Order 13589 - Promoting Efficient Spending, Section 5; the ERTP will not be regularly printing or providing students hard copies of course materials. Manuals are no longer issued in class. Students will be provided information on where they can go to download a copy to bring to class.  Students may obtain an electronic copy of the student manual for personal printing or e-reading at:

Environmental Response Training Program Virtual University - ICS-DSC

Continuing Education Units: 2.4

Unless otherwise specified, THIS COURSE, AND OTHER ERTP COURSES, IS NOT OPEN TO CONSULTANTS, CONTRACTORS, OR ANY PRIVATE ENTITIES.
*This course is offered free of charge to all registrants who are confirmed to attend.*

IMPORTANT NOTICES – Applicable to all ERTP courses :

1. ERTP’s receipt of a Trainex course registration is a Registration Request, it is not a Guaranteed Enrollment in the Course. All ERTP training courses require applicant registration thru the Trainex system. Last minute course arrivals without prior ERTP Trainex course registration approval is not permitted. Before ERTP issues final approval to deliver any course and/or any EPA offices incurring expenses for the training event (including but not limited to EPA staff travel TA’s and/or ERTP training contractor expenses incurred), all EPA mandatory pre-approvals must all be met. The pre-approvals include (but are not limited to) the following:
   
   • Training location’s availability;
   • COVID status and/or other COVID Guidelines in effect for the location, as well as staff;
   • Agency limitations, scrutiny, and approvals of ‘Conference Spending Requirements (known as the “5170”)’ for the specific training course(s) scheduled delivery timeframe;
   • Weather (blizzard, hurricane, etc);
   • Contractual number of available course training slots;
   • Registrations supported by Regional Support Coordinators will have priority; and/or
   • EPA Course Contacts approval.
   
   In the event a course is subsequently postponed or canceled, or notification of registration cancellation is received, all EPA travel arrangements (airline/car rental/hotel) should be canceled in a timely manner. Registered students will receive a notification via email if/when a course is postponed and/or cancelled.
    
2. For in-person course deliveries, confirmed course registered participants must abide by all facility physical access requirements for the location (examples: check-in at the security gate, Federal ID, Government PIV/CAC cards, photo id’s, etc.). If applicable for the course or location, restrictions may apply to non-citizens and acceptable identification may be required for facility entry.