Disaster Training
Disaster Medical Services Training & Exercises
The California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) Disaster Medical Services (DMS) Division coordinates and delivers disaster-focused training and exercises for California’s emergency medical response system.
This page serves as the official calendar for EMSA-managed disaster medical training and exercises, including courses that support statewide disaster response programs operating under the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) frameworks.
Training Calendar
The training calendar below lists upcoming EMSA Disaster Medical Services training opportunities, including in-person and virtual courses facilitated or sponsored by EMSA.
This calendar is used to post and manage registration for EMSA-hosted courses such as:
- Ambulance Strike Team Leader Initial (ASTL 2.0)
- Advanced Ambulance Strike Team Leader Training
- Disaster medical response exercises and workshops
- Program-specific training supporting statewide medical response operations
Each listing includes course details, location (if applicable), and registration instructions.
Once a class has reached capacity, this will be noted in the calendar, and a waitlist will be established.
Ambulance Strike Team (AST) Program Training
EMSA’s Ambulance Strike Team (AST) Program is a core component of California’s disaster medical response capability. AST training prepares qualified EMS personnel to lead and operate Ambulance Strike Teams and Medical Task Forces during disasters, large-scale incidents, and planned events.
ASTL Initial (ASTL 2.0)
The Ambulance Strike Team Leader Initial course provides foundational knowledge and leadership skills required to function as an ASTL within ICS and SEMS. Successful completion qualifies participants to begin the ASTL credentialing process.
Advanced Ambulance Strike Team Leader Training
The Advanced ASTL course builds upon ASTL 2.0 and emphasizes scenario-based learning, operational decision-making, documentation, and coordination during complex, simulated deployments. This course supports continued professional development and may be applied toward completion of an open ASTL Position Task Book (PTB).
For questions related to Ambulance Strike Team training courses, including eligibility or waitlist status, please contact asttraining@emsa.ca.gov.
This calendar reflects official EMSA Disaster Medical Services training activities and is the primary source for AST Program training announcements.
Disaster Trainings and Exercises Calendar