Training through VMC/Homeland Security Programs at West Virginia University focuses on planning and preparing for large scale disasters; emergency management and response prior to, during and post-disasters; and planning for assisting people with special needs during disasters. Online training courses and direct delivery training workshops are developed through grant funds in order to provide useful knowledge and resources to decision makers, emergency responders, and planners.

History:
The history of the VMC began with initial planning studies and development funded by the Department of Health and Human Services/Office of Emergency Response and the Department of Justice/Office of Justice Programs/Office of Domestic Preparedness (now under the Department of Homeland Security). Findings from planning studies conducted by the VMC showed that sample hospitals were not prepared for weapons of mass destruction incidents. Lack of time, lack of funding and lack of training opportunities were primary barriers to hospital preparedness. Increased resources since the planning study have improved training for responders, but the need to provide better healthcare-related preparedness information to first and emergency responders in a form that can be accessed as time is available or on-demand has not lessened.