Disaster Training

View and register for disaster training by clicking the course links below.

Disaster Services: An Overview
This basic level course introduces participants to the foundation of service delivery standards for the American Red Cross. The purpose of the class is to provide information about ways volunteers can help their community prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies and disasters. This class replaces the Fulfilling Our Mission class previously available. Learners who have taken Fulfilling Our Mission are encouraged, but not required, to take Disaster Services.

Shelter Operations
This basic level course is designed to give participants an overview of the American Red Cross policies and procedures for setting up, running and closing a shelter during a disaster. Pre-requisite: Disaster Services or Fulfilling Our Misison

Disaster Assessment Basics
The basic level course highlights Disaster Assessment activities on a disaster relief operation as well as provides a general overview of the tasks performed by Red Cross volunteers in support of a disaster relief operation and a local incident such as a single or multi-family fire. Pre-requisite: Disaster Services or Fulfilling Our Misison

Client Casework: Providing Emergency Assistance
This is a basic course designed to train American Red Cross caseworkers how to conduct effective client interviews and provide appropriate assistance to help meet a client's immediate disaster-caused or disaster-aggravated needs. Note: this is a 6-hour, 2-day course. Pre-Requisite: Disaster Services or Fulfilling Our Mission
Health Services Response Workshop
This basic level course is designed to orient licensed health professionals to the roles and responsibilities of a Disaster Health Services volunteer when working on behalf of the American Red Cross to meet the disaster related health needs of clients. Note: this is a 6-hour course. Pre-requisites: Disaster Serives orFulfilling Our Mission & current license as a(n) CNA, EMT, LPN/LVN, PA, RN, or MD.

ERVs: Ready, Set, Roll
The purpose of this course is to prepare employees and volunteers of the Red Cross to operate an Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) and its equipment safely and effectively to meet feeding and other service needs of people affected by disaster. Note: this is a 6-hour course. Pre-requisites: Disaster Services or Fulfilling Our Mission, Shelter Operations, Disaster Assessment Basics, Basic Food Safety (online),Defensive Driving (online), First Aid & CPR Certification, 21 Years of Age, Clean Driving Record

Psychological First Aid: Helping Others in Times of Stress
The purpose of this course is to prepare all American Red Cross workers to provide basic care, comfort and support to people who are experiencing disaster-related stress. Pre-requisites: Disaster Services or Fulfilling Our Mission

Disaster Frontline Supervisor w/Simulation
The purpose of this course is to prepare supervisors to lead a team of disaster workers to deliver high quality client service and to create a climate that promotes worker satisfaction. Note: this is a 6-hour course. Pre-requisites: Training and experience equivalent to a Service Associate in an activity in which she or he expects to become a supervisor
Foundations of Disaster Mental Health
This course provides participants the opportunity to apply their learning to real-world examples that reflect challenges experienced by DMH workers, be it on a Disaster Action Team response or serving on a larger disaster relief operation. Pre-requisite: Disaster Services or Fulfilling Our Mission
Fundamentals of Disaster Assessment
The purpose of this course is to introduce the critical role of Disaster Assessment, explore related preparedness tasks, learn how to collect and communicate disaster assessment information, and become familiar with how disaster assessment information supports management and service delivery decisions. Pre-requisite: Disaster Services or Fulfilling Our Mission, Disaster Assessment Basics

Logistics: An Overview
Logistics: An Overview is an instructor-led, basic level course designed to give participants an overview of the Material Support Services group and the activities associated with it. Pre-requisite: Disaster Services or Fulfilling Our Mission

Registration
All disaster training classes are provided free of charge to the participant. Please register with us no later than 2 business days prior to the start of the course by calling (207) 874-1192 x 122, in person, or by e-mail to disastertraining@maineredcross.org. Course offerings, dates, and locations are subject to change based on student enrollment, availability of instructors, facilities, and funding. For 6-hour courses, participants will be given a 1-hour break for lunch, which will be the responsibility of the participant.

Attendance
If you are unable to attend class, please notify us 24 hours prior to the scheduled start time. Classes start on time;any participant arriving more than 20 minutes late will not receive credit for attendance. We provide 48-hours notice in the event of a non-weather related cancellation. In the event of questionable weather, please call (207) 874- 1192 x294 for cancellation information starting two hours before the course. Due to safety and health concerns, pets are not allowed. Bringing infants and small children is seldom practical as it affects the concentration of both you and the other participants. The American Red Cross of Southern Maine wishes to provide equal training opportunities to all participants, including providing equal access to training facilities. Please contact us in advance at (207) 874-1192 x122 to alert us of any special needs so that accommodations can be made.

Instructors
Instructors for Disaster Training Classes will be trained volunteer disaster instructors from the Southern Maine Chapter of the American Red Cross, as well as visiting instructors from other Red Cross chapters.

Other Great Training Opportunities

Introduction to Disaster
This online, self-study course introduces prospective volunteers to Disaster Services with the American Red Cross.  The course consists of 3 short modules and gives students the opportunity to discover volunteer opportunities that match their own personal interests.  Learners are asked to print the final page of the course to show completion.  Access the course at: http://www2.redcross.org/flash/course01_v01/

Online FEMA Training
Recommended training for all Red Crossers includes IS100, IS200, IS700 and IS 800B.  These classes teach you about basic Incident Command, the National Incident Management System and the National Response Plan.  Access the course at:  http://www.training.fema.gov/IS/crslist.asp