ITIC Training

ITIC Training Program Summary, 2005 - 2024 (click to download list)

ITIC Tsunami Training Locations, 2005-2024

As part of its mandate and functions under IOC Resolution X-23 (1977), the ITIC assists countries in establishing warning centers and improving tsunami preparedness, and for decades has annually conducted a training program.  As an international center, ITIC also works to monitor and improve warning services globally, and serves as an information resource for tsunami events (with WDC-MGG tsunamis), clearinghouse for education and awareness materials, and encourages research that will improve mitigation practices. 

The ITIC Training Program on Tsunami Early Warning Systems (ITP-TEWS) consists of a 2-week Hawaii-based or Chile-based training, where Hawaii and Chile is used as a working example of an end-to-end system of warning, response, and preparedness for both distant and local tsunamis, and a 1-week International training (ITP-International) where ITIC organizes a regional or country-specific training on specific topics such as SOPs or TEMPP.   In 2018 and 2024, the ITP-TEWS took place in Chile hosted by the Chilean Navy (SHOA), with the 2018 course being the 1st time it was conducted outside of Hawaii. In 2019, 2023 and 2025, the ITP-TEWS was held Hawaii, and in 2026, the ITP-TEWS will be held in Chile. Future ITP-TEWS will explore hosting by other countries with working systems.  The ITP-TEWS emphasizes small classes where the actual practitioners can answer questions and share real-life experiences.  The ITP-Intl allows for international experts to visit a tsunami-prone country to engage a much larger and broader set of country stakeholders.  Since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the ITIC has conducted more than 160 multi-day trainings around the world, training more than 3300 persons.  

The next ITIC Training Programme on Tsunami Early Warning Systems (ITP-TEWS Hawaii) be held Sept 15-26, 2025 in Honolulu, Hawaii .

The next ITIC Training Programme on Tsunami Early Warning Systems (ITP-TEWS Chile) be held 2026 in Valparaiso, Chile.

Topics have covered tsunami early warning systems, warning and emergency response standard operating procedures, inundation modeling, evacuation planning, and exercises.  Trainings typically target national warning and emergency response staff and stakeholders, as well as businesses and communities when there is interest.

The ITP-TEWS Hawaii is an example where a Tsunami Information Center  (ITIC) works closely with the Pacific / Caribbean Tsunami Service Provider (TSP, PTWC) and its local emergency response and preparedness groups (Hawaii State and County Civil Defense and Pacific Tsunami Museum) to conduct a training focused on practical and real-life sharing on the operational aspects of warning and response.   Participants are nominated by their country through IOC Circular Letter, and selection is based on country/regional need and commitment.   The training emphasizes stakeholder coordination, and as such, ideally brings simultaneously warning center and the disaster management staff from one country to the same training.

In 2020, the ITIC was designated as an IOC Ocean Teacher Global Academy Specialized Training Center (OTGA).
During the OTGA Phase 2 2020-2024 and beyond, the ITIC will expand its learning modality from in-person to online and blended training courses. The courses will be those that ITIC already teaches in-person through the ITP-Hawaii and ITP-International.

For the OTGA courses, the ITIC will work with other OTGA Regional and Specialized Training Centers and the IOC Tsunami Information Center, and seek to partner with universities or other entities to develop accredited courses that satisfy advanced degree requirements.

The ITIC conducts training throughout the US (ITP-USA) in support of the US National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program. In 2010 (updated in 2020), it developed a 1-day basic Tsunami Awareness training course for US Department of Homeland Security / Federal Emergency Management Agency. Course AWR-217 targets stakeholders with response responsibility. It provides a basic understanding of tsunamis, hazard assessment, warning and dissemination, and community response strategies to effectively reduce tsunami risk. The course goal is to enhance participants’ abilities to support their organizational preparedness and response efforts.

'Tsunami Response Workshop for Businesses: Preparing hotels and businesses for the next tsunami' is also available from the ITIC (ITP-BSOP).  The 1-day training workshop better prepares coastal businesses and hotels to respond to tsunami hazards.  The workshop provides guidance to businesses on how to protect the safety of their employees, customers, and business operations.  The Training Manual includes best practices, guidance, tsunami response standard operating procedures templates, and other reference documents.  The course was developed in 2012 at the request  Juan Camacho of the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) – Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HSEM).  The ITIC staff (including Dr. Laura Kong, Brian Yanagi, and Nicolás Arcos) researched, created, and delivered “Tsunami Response Workshop for Businesses” courses in CNMI and Guam in September 2013 and 2014, with assistance from the Weather Forecast Office (WFO) Guam.  The manual was updated by the ITIC in 2024 and the training again delivered in the CNMI.  

For more information on training, please contact itic.tsunami@noaa.gov