Introduction:
World Physiotherapy recognizes that disasters have significant and lasting impacts on individuals and their communities. Physiotherapists are critical in national and local disaster preparedness and management strategies. This recognition encourages educational institutions to include disaster and emergency management in their curricula. Following a master's study conducted in Portugal at a School of Health Sciences, essential competencies for physiotherapists to work in disaster contexts and Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs), as defined by the World Health Organization, were identified and validated. These findings underscored the urgent need to develop and implement postgraduate training tailored to Portuguese physiotherapists.

Objectives:
This study aims to present the process of developing and implementing a postgraduate curriculum designed to prepare physiotherapists for effective intervention in disaster, emergency, and humanitarian action contexts.

Methods:
A mixed-methods approach was employed between September 2023 and February 2024. A multidisciplinary working group was established, involving consultations with literature, interprofessional frameworks, and professionals from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with field experience. Themes and competencies were extracted and used to design a comprehensive curriculum. The curriculum comprised seven units totaling 155 contact hours (31 ECTs). It included topics such as national and international policies and collaboration, rehabilitation integration in disaster response, public health, psychological first aid, BSafe certification, multidisciplinary team dynamics, and physiotherapy practice in emergency contexts. The course also required students to develop a community prevention project and culminated in a simulation drill to apply the acquired knowledge. The curriculum, enriched by lecturers from various disciplines and nationalities with expertise in disaster contexts, was approved by the Scientific Committee of the School of Health Sciences and delivered between April and November 2024.

Results:
Twenty students completed the postgraduate course. Participants demonstrated improved knowledge, skills, and readiness to contribute to disaster and emergency management strategies at local, national, and international levels.

Conclusion:
The development and implementation of this postgraduate curriculum addressed a critical gap in the training of Portuguese physiotherapists. The course enabled physiotherapists to acquire the necessary competencies to integrate effectively into EMTs and contribute to disaster response efforts.

Implications:
This initiative intends to facilitate the integration of Portuguese physiotherapists into EMTs and foster collaborations with the National Emergency and Civil Protection Portuguese Authority, as well as the National and Regional Fire Departments. The curriculum serves as a model for other regions aiming to strengthen the role of physiotherapists in disaster preparedness and response.

Keywords: Physiotherapy, Postgraduate Curriculum, Disaster/Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Teams, Humanitarian Action.