Health, Public Health & Safety
Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) Management
Running an emergency operations centre during a public health event.
Syllabus at a glance
Around 12 weeks of guided study, typically two sessions a week plus independent work, so you can keep working while you study.
| Unit | Study block | Module |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weeks 1–2 | PHEOC purpose, structure and activation levels |
| 2 | Weeks 3–4 | Incident management system roles |
| 3 | Weeks 5–6 | Information management, dashboards and situation reports |
| 4 | Weeks 7–8 | Operations, planning, logistics and finance functions |
| 5 | Weeks 9–12 | Deactivation, documentation and after-action review |
Module breakdown
- 1
PHEOC purpose, structure and activation levels
Weeks 1–2Build a shared working vocabulary for PHEOC purpose, structure and activation levels and set the standards this course expects of you.
What you cover
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind PHEOC purpose, structure and activation levels
- Step-by-step methods and templates for PHEOC purpose, structure and activation levels
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in PHEOC purpose, structure and activation levels, and how to avoid them
- Applying PHEOC purpose, structure and activation levels in low-resource and community settings
Assessed work: Case study discussion applying PHEOC purpose, structure and activation levels to a local scenario.
- 2
Incident management system roles
Weeks 3–4Work through the methods and tools used for incident management system roles in day-to-day programme work.
What you cover
- Step-by-step methods and templates for incident management system roles
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in incident management system roles, and how to avoid them
- Applying incident management system roles in low-resource and community settings
Assessed work: Practical task: draft one working document related to incident management system roles.
- 3
Information management, dashboards and situation reports
Weeks 5–6Practise information management, dashboards and situation reports on realistic case material drawn from Sierra Leonean community and field settings.
What you cover
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in information management, dashboards and situation reports, and how to avoid them
- Applying information management, dashboards and situation reports in low-resource and community settings
- Recording, reporting and communicating your information management, dashboards and situation reports work
Assessed work: Group simulation using information management, dashboards and situation reports under time pressure.
- 4
Operations, planning, logistics and finance functions
Weeks 7–8Turn operations, planning, logistics and finance functions into documents, plans and decisions your team or employer can actually use.
What you cover
- Applying operations, planning, logistics and finance functions in low-resource and community settings
- Recording, reporting and communicating your operations, planning, logistics and finance functions work
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind operations, planning, logistics and finance functions
Assessed work: Portfolio entry: reflect on how you will use operations, planning, logistics and finance functions in your role.
- 5
Deactivation, documentation and after-action review
Weeks 9–12Review, quality-check and improve your own deactivation, documentation and after-action review work with tutor and peer feedback.
What you cover
- Recording, reporting and communicating your deactivation, documentation and after-action review work
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind deactivation, documentation and after-action review
- Step-by-step methods and templates for deactivation, documentation and after-action review
Assessed work: Guided exercise: produce a short worked example covering deactivation, documentation and after-action review.
Who this course is for
- • Practitioners and volunteers already working in, or moving into, this area of work.
- • Health workers, facility staff and community health volunteers.
- • School leavers and graduates building a first professional portfolio.
Entry requirements
- • Basic literacy and secondary-level education, or relevant practical work experience.
- • Access to a phone, tablet or computer for online and blended study.
- • Commitment to attend sessions and submit assignments on time.
How you are assessed
- • Short module tasks completed during the course.
- • Practical component: Simulated PHEOC activation with situation report production.
- • A final assessment or portfolio review covering the full syllabus.
- • Participation in guided sessions, discussions and group exercises.
Materials and support
- • Session handouts, checklists and templates you keep after the course.
- • Case material and worked examples based on community and field practice.
- • Tutor guidance by WhatsApp between sessions.
Certification
Learners who complete all assessments receive an SLIHSD professional certificate of completion. This records completion of an SLIHSD short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the certificate you should be able to:
- Activate and staff a PHEOC structure
- Produce situation reports and dashboards
- Run an after-action review
Practical component
Simulated PHEOC activation with situation report production.
How this programme is delivered
Online
Guided sessions and assignments you can follow from anywhere with a connection.
Face-to-face
Classroom sessions at our Mile 91 learning centre, including weekend and evening options.
Blended
A mix of online study with periodic in-person workshops, field exercises and simulations.
Ready to start Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) Management?
Applications for the Founding Student Intake 2026 are open. Register your interest and we will guide you to the right programme.