Article is devoted to comparing the efficiency of full-time and distance forms of learning of teachers of subject «Basics of life safety» (BLS) to determine the optimal way to improve their competence in the field of civil defense and protection against emergencies. Preparing students for this section in accordance with modern life safety requirements dictates the need for regular updating the knowledge of teachers, that is carried out as part of their training at the regional training center for civil defense and emergencies. However, the economic and social difficulties of separation from themain workplace of teachers in rural schools require the development and application of new forms of learning. The article compares the results of the input, final and the residual control of knowledge of BLS teachers at different forms of training (on leave from the workplace and remotely). It is shown that there are no fundamental differences in the effectiveness of the training depending on the form of learning at the final stage, but however, the residual knowledge are higher at the distance form of learning that also economically is preferable. In this regard, there is need to develop high-quality variety of materials for distance education of teachers from municipal educational institutions.