Basic Disaster Life Support BDLS - 7/14/2026

The BDLS Course is a competency-based, awareness-level course that introduces concepts and principles to prepare health professionals for the management of injuries and illnesses caused by disasters and public health emergencies. The course builds upon, applies, and reinforces information presented in the Core Disaster Life Support® (CDLS®) Course. This includes application of core principles and concepts in emergency management and public health as introduced in the CDLS Course through the PRE-DISASTER Paradigm and DISASTER Paradigm. The primary focus of the BDLS Course is incorporation of an “all-hazards” approach to mass casualty management and population-based care across a broad range of disasters. Measures to ensure and enhance health Workforce readiness are emphasized throughout the course. This includes a consistent and scalable approach to workforce protection and casualty management, as Well as mass casualty triage and fatality management. The BDLS Course is designed to engage participants through interactive scenarios and group discussion. The overarching aim of the BDLS Course is to teach a common lexicon, vocabulary, and knowledge base for the clinical and public health management of all ages and populations affected by disasters and public health emergencies, through a standardized curriculum that is practical and relevant for all health professionals. Knowledge gained in the course can then be reinforced and expanded through application in the Advanced Disaster Life Support” (ADLS®) Course.

Course Information:

Where is the course being held? The day-long course will be held at University of Massachusetts Medical campus, in the Emergency Medicine office suite. More detailed information will be sent to registered students (where to park, which room we will be in, etc..)

Who can take these courses? Anyone who is interested in disasters. We have had hospital administrators take these courses!

Prerequisites: There is no prerequisite for BDLS courses.

Textbooks: You will receive an e-book version of the textbook with your registration. If you want one, a physical textbooks can be purchased directly from the NDLSF website.

What do I do if I am interested in taking the course? Follow the links in Eventbrite to sign-up for the course. You will then receive an email with information about how to register with NDLSF. You need to register with NDLSF to get the BDLS card, certificate and e-book.

Pre-course work: Once you have registered, you can download the e-book and take the pre-test. You'll need to take the pre-test to get CME credits.

On-site registration: Unfortunately, we cannot offer any on-site registration

OEMS credits offered: Yes

CME for physicians: Yes

CME for nurses: No

For any questions: contact [email protected]

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