CASPER Training & Resources
NCEH and our partners have developed numerous resources and trainings to aid in conducting a CASPER. For field materials – questionnaire templates, tracking form, consent, etc. – please visit CASPER Field Materials.
State-based Training
CDC’s NCEH provides disaster epidemiology training to state, tribal, local, and territorial (STLT) public health and emergency response staff by request. The purpose of the training is to
- increase emergency response capacity,
- improve disaster epidemiology skills,
- share lessons learned.
If you are a STLT health department and would like to be considered for training, please consult with your leadership and then contact CASPER@cdc.gov. You may also download a Disaster Epidemiology Training Request form pdf icon[PDF – 457 KB]. A presentation template ppt icon[PPT – 37 MB] (508 PDF version pdf icon[PDF – 7 MB]) for full-day CASPER training is also available.
Online E-Learning
CDC is pleased to provide the online eLearning for CASPER
The goal of the CASPER E-Learning is to supplement the CASPER toolkit by providing an overview of the CASPER methodology, its uses, and the local capabilities required to conduct a CASPER. Continuing Education (CE) credits are available. Information on CE credits is provided. Whether it is the first time you are exposed to CASPER or you are a seasoned veteran looking for a refresher, we hope that you find this eLearning useful.
One-pagers and Factsheets
- Helpful Tips for a Successful CASPER pdf icon[PDF 4 MB]: A quick refresher of key CASPER elements and steps; intended to supplement the CASPER toolkit
- CDC One Page Fact sheet on CASPER
- Flint Water Crisis CASPER
- Deepwater Horizon CASPER
- CASPER Interview Tips pdf icon[PDF 3.35 MB] provides a general guideline for making the interview successful.
YouTube Videos
Training and Field Assistance
- Introduction to systematic random sampling in the fieldexternal icon Developed by the California Department of Health, a short introduction to selecting households to interview
- Just-in-time training video. Developed by Harris County, Texas, a short video on Just-in-time training
- Using Incident Command System (ICS) for CASPER implementation: Introductionexternal icon. Developed by the California Department of Health, a short introduction to ICS
- Using Incident Command System for CASPER implementation: Case Studyexternal icon. Developed by the California Department of Health, a case study for using ICE during CASPER
Past CASPERs
- CDC Response to Hurricanes (YouTube video). Short video on the use and benefit of CASPER using the 2017 Hurricane response in the U.S. Virgin Islands as an example
- Fort Bend County CASPER: Reviews a CASPER conducted to evaluate “How Prepared” jurisdictions are and close any gaps in community preparedness through education and training.
- Hurricane Harvey CASPER Assessment: Series of short videos prepared by Harris County reviews the CASPER conducted in the southeast portion of Harris County Texas after Hurricane Harvey, 2017.
- Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services (HCPHES) CASPER Assessment – March 2015: Reviews a preparedness CASPER conducted in Harris County, Texas
- Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services (HCPHES) CASPER Assessment – January 2016: Reviews a preparedness CASPER conducted in Pasadena in January 2016
- Public Health Emergency Response at the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo: Shows how workers representing various agencies worked to collect CASPER data
Other Resources
- Pocket Field Guideexternal icon: The purpose of this pocket field guide is to help make CASPER priorities clearer and prompt people to function better as a team in a Texas Department of State Health Services CASPER strike team deployment.
- CASPER Lessons Learnedexternal icon: This document, created by the Texas Department of State Health Services, outlines over 70 high level lessons in planning and conducting a CASPER from Texas state, regional, and local experiences.