SIOUX FALLS – South Dakotans are asked to take a short survey to help guide future trainings on infectious disease prevention. Participants may include anyone who deals with the public – from retail and restaurant employees to teachers and students, hospital and clinic staff, police, paramedics, firefighters, etc.

As new COVID variants and other infectious diseases are emerging, plus flu season around the corner, we need to be ready for the next disease threat, says the South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care (SDFMC). That means developing better infection control training for the frontline. CDC Project Firstline aims to do just that. It’s a training collaborative on infectious disease prevention that’s being rolled out nationwide. The SDFMC is leading the project for South Dakota, in partnership with the South Dakota Department of Health and the CDC. 

The first step is to survey workers to identify gaps and needs in current training. Results from the survey will help to develop better infection control training – that’s customized to South Dakota.

While the survey focuses on training needs for healthcare and essential workers, anyone can take the survey and offer their opinion on what training should look like for South Dakota.  Every voice matters.

To take the survey, log onto https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SouthDakotaProjectFirstLine. The survey closes Aug. 1.

“We know COVID won’t be the last threat,” said Charlotte Hofer, Project Firstline communications director in South Dakota. “As new diseases emerge, we want to make sure everyone on the frontlines has access to the education they need.  We’re asking the public to take the survey. Your input is critical, it will help us identify what resources are needed in South Dakota, to prevent the next pandemic.”

For more information visit  https://sdfmc.org/project-firstline/.