Photo courtesy National Swimming Pool Foundation

The National Swimming Pool Foundation's (NSPF's) new Emergency Response Planning (ERP) online training course includes the Emergency Response Planning handbook.

Swimming pool and hot tub industry professionals can now better prepare an emergency response action plan with the National Swimming Pool Foundation’s (NSPF’s) new Emergency Response Planning (ERP) online training course.

The interactive course uses narration, images, video and exercises to teach managers how to develop an ERP as the critical first step in minimizing injuries to staff and patrons. The course also addresses how to administer care when responding to emergencies.

"Planning for calamity can mean the difference between misery and prosperity," says Thomas M. Lachocki, PhD, CEO of NSPF. “Whether you are managing an aquatic facility, manufacturing plant, retail store, building or service company, emergency response planning must be the number-one priority to preserving the health and safety of your employees, patrons and business.”

Students are able to work at their own pace through a series of topics, which include:
• Understanding an ERP and what is required;
• Effective communication;
• Facility layout and available equipment;
• Aquatic emergencies;
• Pool fecal matter emergencies; and
• Weather and natural disaster response.

The ERP course is available through NSPF's online training portal www.eproacademy.org. The cost is $50 US per student and includes a copy of the recently published NSPF handbook, Emergency Response Planning. Students who successfully complete the course can also apply for International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) credits.