OHS Training FAQs

What is costs and reimbursements?

OHS courses offered in this publication are provided at no cost to the attendees. OHS will pay for lodging and meals for those traveling more than 50 miles (one-way) to the course and staying in a hotel while attending the course.

Students attending OHS course offerings will NOT be reimbursed for meal expenses if they live within the 50 mile commuting distance to the course or choose to commute to the course and are not away from their official domicile more than 12 hours. Students will be on their own for meals unless otherwise provided with the course. Mileage expenses are the responsibility of the student or his/her sponsoring organization.

Any short course or workshop 6 hours in length or less will have no hotel arrangements paid by OHS.

Can students from other states attend OHS training?

Students from states other then Missouri are welcome to attend OHStraining on a space available basis. There is no charge for OHS training. However, Missouri WILL NOT reimburse for hotels or meals for students from other states. Students can pay for expenses from their own funds or arrange for reimbursement with either their organization or their state emergency management agency prior to the course.

What are Local Offerings?

Classes identified as Local Offering Only are classes specifically requested by local jurisdictions. Individuals living within 50 miles of the class location have priority for seats. State Agency personnel living within 50 miles of the class have priority over individuals living further then 50 miles from the class site. Individuals and State Agency personnel who live further then 50 miles from the class site can attend the training providing seats are available. OHSwill not reimburse anyone for meals or hotels for classes identified as Local Offering Only.

What are State Agency Only classes?

Classes identified as State Agency Only offerings are usually classes requested by or pertaining to state agencies. Individuals employed by state agencies have priority for seats. However, other individuals can attend the training providing there are seats available. OHS may not reimburse meals and lodging.

How will student acceptance notification be made?

Students can determine if they have been accepted to a course by checking a course roster attached to the course listing on the Couse Schedule web page. If the student’s name appears, they have been accepted into that particular course. Acceptance letters will be posted on this page containing the latest information concerning the course location, administrative instructions, pre-class work instructions and/or any advance class materials. If students do not have access to the Internet, they will be sent an acceptance letter by fax or mail. The deadline for applying to a course is two weeks prior to the start date.

How are student cancellations handled?

Any student who is unable to attend a course for which they have enrolled and have been accepted is requested to notify the OHS Training Department prior to the day of the course. Failure to notify OHS of a cancellation will be considered as an unexcused absence. Two unexcused absences within a fiscal year could result in the student not being selected to attend any OHS course for six months. Exceptions will be made for personal or jurisdictional emergencies. If you are unable to attend a course due to an emergency response, you should notify OHS and a notation will be made to your transcript indicating the absence was excused. Students are also responsible for canceling their hotel reservations.

Are courses ever canceled?

In the event that the number of applicants for a scheduled course is insufficient to warrant proceeding with the course or there is some additional problem requiring cancellation, a notice of cancellation and /or rescheduling will be sent to all applicants. OHS will make will make every effort to notify all participants of course cancellation decisions five full working days prior to the course start date, unless there is an emergency requiring short notice of cancellations. Students enrolled in a canceled course will be notified by email, fax, letter or phone call.

What are the attendance policies?

Students are asked to attend ALL sessions of each course, seminar or workshop. Due to extenuating circumstances, participants are sometimes called away from training. However, in order to maintain the integrity of the program, participants should attend a minimum of 90% of the session. Certificates may not be awarded to participants that miss more than 10% of a course presentation. Please notify the course manager if you expect to miss any class sessions. If an individual is unable to attend a course for which he/she has been accepted, he/she must cancel prior to the course start date.

What is the dress code?

In order to maintain an appropriate and professional learning environment, all students attending any training program sponsored by the Office of Homeland Security are required to adhere to the following Dress Code:

Minimal acceptable attire shall be “business casual”, described as follows:

Men- Trousers, (denim is acceptable)

Shirts with collars

Women- Slacks, skirts, dresses, (denim is acceptable)

Blouses or shirts

Shoes are required. Thong-type sandals (flip-flops) are not acceptable.

Students shall wear clean and well-maintained attire and adhere to acceptable personal hygiene standards.

Examples of unacceptable attire:

Torn, patched or faded clothing, shorts, skorts, halter tops, tube tops, tank tops, muscle shirts, strapless sun dresses, shirts with non-department logos or large-letter advertising, sweatsuits or warm-up suits, sweat pants. This list is not all-inclusive, but represents the types of clothing to avoid.

Students not in compliance with the above will be asked to leave the classroom.