Introduction

A training needs assessment should ideally be conducted one to two months before a simulation is run. Country office staff should be contacted and prepared to provide Simulation Administrators with key information on:

1. country context and the particular emergency scenario to be the focus of the simulation
2. key agency emergency preparedness and response system features
3. external stakeholders and any particular partnership or coordination concerns
4. critical gaps in staff knowledge, skills, and attitudes

Details on each of these four categories of the training needs assessment follow.