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PREPARED

Volunteer Training for Disasters

General Information

Every year, Disaster Services volunteers of the East Shoreline Chapter of the American Red Cross respond to about 90 local disasters. The ability to provide quality and compassionate service in our communities requires some training on your part. All of our courses are free of charge and open to individuals who wish to proudly represent The American Red Cross in a disaster whether around the corner or across the nation.

  • Courses are offered at chapter headquarters.
  • Some classes are offered more frequently than others are. Even if you are waiting to take a course, there are many things that you can do to support our mission.
  • Some classes are scheduled on an as-needed basis. Please direct your inquiries to the Disaster Services Department for additional information.

    • Registration

    To register for any Disaster Course, send an email to Ryan Manz .  Please remember to leave your name and a daytime phone number in your email.  You can also call 989-892-1541, leave your name, number and the class you wish to sign up for. Someone will return your call to confirm registration and answer any questions you may have.

    Volunteer Opportunities

    Disaster Services provides the chance for you to make an impact in someone else's life as well as your own. Learn something new, teach other volunteers, or take part in planning and developing who and what we are.

  • There are a variety of opportunities that vary from one chapter to another. Please inquire at your Disaster Services office.
  • All volunteers are invited to participate in both of the following programs. Neither is a requirement or prerequisite to the other.

    • Disaster Action Team (DAT)

    DAT Members respond to local disaster throughout both counties, and are the first level of response for larger events. Help your neighbors by providing initial and immediate relief. Daytime and after-hours opportunities are available.

    Required Training:

  • Introduction to Disaster Services
  • Emergency Assistance to Families
  • Mass Care Overview
  • CPR and First Aid Certification

    • Disaster Services Human Resources (DSHR)

    We also offer the opportunity to respond to disasters outside of the area. Volunteers like you from across the country assist in the response to larger events. It takes compassion, courage, and flexibility. You must be in good health, possess a drivers license, and be available anywhere from 3 consecutive days to 3 weeks with as little as 24 hours notice. This is a valuable and life-changing experience.

    Required Experience:

  • Introduction to Disaster Services
  • Functional training(s) of your choosing. Please work with your DAT Team or Disaster Manager to identify which role (function) you would like to track in.

    • Classes

    Introduction to Disaster Services

    The course is a prerequisite to all other Disaster Services training. The purpose of this course is to provide basic information about disasters and it's effects, to outline the role of agencies (both governmental and non-governmental) in disaster relief and to assist viewers in identifying their interests in disaster response. (Introduction to Disaster Services is also a self-study course. Please contact your Disaster Services Department to make arrangements to view this video presentation.)

    Damage Assessment

    Trains participants in obtaining, assessing and reporting damage information during a disaster relief operation.
    Prerequisite: Intro. to Disaster Services (ARC 3066)

    Disaster Welfare Inquiry

    The purpose of this training is to prepare participants to handle Disaster Welfare Inquiries in their local chapters. Participants will learn how to provide effective service, transmit an inquiry to the EWI function on a disaster relief operation and conduct follow-up to ensure that the inquirer's needs are met.
    Prerequisite: Intro. to Disaster Services (ARC 3066)

    Shelter Operations

    Prepares participants to effectively manage a shelter operation team and meet the needs of people displaced by a disaster. Participants will be able to demonstrate shelter opening, operation and closing procedures; as well as working as a team to provide quality shelter services to clients. Common shelter problems will also be addressed.
    Prerequisite: Intro. to Disaster Services (ARC 3066)
    Prerequisite: Mass Care: An Overview (ARC 3068-1)

    Shelter Simulation

    The purpose of this training is to provide participants an opportunity to practice the knowledge and skills needed to run a successful shelter operation.
    Prerequisite: Intro. to Disaster Services (ARC 3066)
    Prerequisite: Mass Care: An Overview
    Prerequisite: Shelter Workshop

    Records and Reports

    This course prepares Red Cross paid and volunteer staff to work within the Records and Reports function in a disaster environment. This course will provide the worker with the tools to perform the R&R activities that support other functions as well as co-workers on a Red Cross Disaster relief operation.
    Prerequisite: Intro. to Disaster Services (ARC 3066)

    Family Service: Providing Emergency Assistance (ARC 3072)

    Enables Red Cross workers and representatives of other agencies to meet the emergency needs of families on an individual basis following a disaster in a chapter setting. Develops the interviewing skills, knowledge, attitudes and relationships necessary to meet the disaster-caused needs of individuals and families.
    Prerequisite: Intro. to Disaster Services (ARC 3066)

    Logistics Overview (ARC 3071-1)

    Assists Red Cross workers to prepare for and carry out the Logistics function in the event of a disaster in the local community and to initiate the Logistics function on a major disaster operation. The course is designed to help participants identify supply and logistics preparedness measures that should take place at the local unit level, and to become familiar with Red Cross policies and procedures that apply on locally administered disaster operations.
    Prerequisite: Intro. to Disaster Services (ARC 3066)

    Community Disaster Education Workshop

    This workshop prepares participants to deliver quality Community Disaster Education presentation by providing sufficient background information and support. It provides information on ways to overcome disaster denial issues to motivate individual and family disaster preparedness actions. It does not teach platform presentation skills; rather, it focuses on how to choose appropriate messages for target audiences and selecting materials that convey those messages.
    Prerequisite: Intro. to Disaster Services (ARC 3066)
    Prerequisite: Participants must complete an Application for Training - Disaster Training System (Form 5898H).

    Logistics Simulation (ARC 3071-2)

    This course was designed to provide participants an opportunity to practice the knowledge and skills needed to run a successful logistical operation in their local chapter.
    Prerequisite: Intro. to Disaster Services (ARC 3066)
    Prerequisite: Logistics Overview (ARC 3071-1)

    Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV Workshop)

    The purpose of this workshop is to acquaint participants with the Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) and it's use in disaster through classroom and hands on participation. Topics will include maintenance, loading, radio communications and more.
    Prerequisite: Intro. to Disaster Services (ARC 3066)
    Prerequisite: Mass Care: An Overview (ARC 3068-1)

    VOLUNTEER INQUIRY