OSC 2007 Evaluation Report

2007 OSC Readiness Training Program Evaluation Report
Infectious Diseases: The Threat to the U.S. Population and Agriculture from
Plant, Animal, and Human Pathogens
Instructors: Barry Erlick, BJE Associates, Auburn University and Kansas State University
Don Huber, Purdue University
Richard Pilch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Serguei Popov, George Mason University
Rich Rupert, EPA Region 3
This course provided participants an advanced level of knowledge on biological agents, particularly
agents likely to be encountered in a biological terrorism incident. This course also provided participants
with an understanding of historical and emerging threats posed by biological agents. Speakers conducted
lectures and discussions about the history and current risks posed by biological agents, as well as
development and use of biological agents as weapons. The course focused on agents most likely to be
used in an act of bioterrorism. A broad overview of plant, animal, and human pathogens was provided,
and case studies were used to illustrate how an outbreak can begin and progress, and how to manage the
outbreak. Participants accomplished the following:
• Became familiar with historical efforts to develop plant, animal, and human pathogens as
biological weapons. The instructors shared more than 150 years of collective experience in
biological study, research, and application.
• Learned about the current threat posed to the U.S. population and agriculture by natural- and
anthropogenic-derived outbreaks. The risk and consequence posed by pathogens current on the
global scene were examined.
• Learned strategies to safely and effectively respond to pathogenic outbreaks. The course
provided opportunities to evaluate various response approaches through case studies.
Number of Participants Who
Pre-registered
Participation and Average Grade
Number of Participants Who
Signed Course Roster
Number of Evaluation
Forms Submitted
Average
Grade
111 94 55 4*
* The grade displayed is the average of the grades provided on the evaluation forms, where
1 = Poor, 2 = Fair, 3 = Good, 4 = Very Good, and 5 = Excellent.
C-60 Comments about Individual Training Courses