About Red Cross Disaster Courses

Our Red Cross disaster courses are designed to prepare volunteers for working in disasters of all sizes. If you have questions about the courses below, call 704.378.4643 or e-mail .

If you plan on registering for a class online, click here to open step-by-step instructions.

Important Notice: In order for a new volunteer to be properly oriented to the disaster functions of the American Red Cross, the course, Disaster Services: An Overview must be completed before enrolling in other disaster courses. Completion of this course will provide a solid foundation for better understanding of the material presented in other disaster courses.

For those “seasoned” volunteers who have not taken Fulfilling Our Mission, Mass Care Overview and Introduction to Disaster, it is highly recommended that consideration be given to attending the Disaster Services: An Overview class. 

Courses

BULK DISTRIBUTION OPERATIONS
The purpose of this course is to prepare participants for the roles, responsibilities and tasks involved in setting up, operating and supporting Bulk Distribution operation in the chapter and on a disaster relief operation.
Prerequisite: Disaster Services: An Overview

CLIENT ASSISTANCE SYSTEM
Introduces caseworkers to the role of data entry into computer system of client casework.  CAS is an acronym for Client Assistance System. CAS software and reporting provide our organization a single system of record to support the delivery of assistance to clients.  CAS expedites financial assistance and services to our clients, by enabling workers to deliver services from any computer with Internet access meeting the minimum system requirements below.  It manages information about clients, their needs and the assistance we provide them following a disaster.  It also matches disaster assessment information with client information.
Prerequisite: Disaster Services: Client Casework: Providing Emergency Assistance

CLIENT CASEWORK: PROVIDING EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
This course prepares Red Cross employees and volunteers to perform the tasks of an Individual Client Services casework service associate.  Participants will be trained on how to conduct effective client interviews and provide appropriate assistance to help meet a client’s immediate disaster-caused or disaster-aggravated needs.
Prerequisite: Disaster Services: An Overview

COLLABORATING TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE SERVICE DELIVERY
Collaborating to Ensure Effective Service Delivery course is designed to prepare Red Cross employees and volunteers to establish collaborative relationships that contribute to coordinated disaster response and help to ensure inclusive and effective service delivery.  This course will also prepare participants to begin conducting liaison activities in a chapter and establish a foundation upon which they can build toward a career as a liaison in the Disaster Services Human Resources (DSHR) system.
Prerequisite: Disaster Services: An Overview

COMMUNITY DISASTER EDUCATION PRESENTER’S WORKSHOP
The CDE Presenter’s Workshop is a basic-level disaster course designed to train volunteers to become Red Cross Education presenters.  The course will make presenter aware about where to find the appropriate disaster education information, target the desired audience and encourage behavior change. This workshop does not teach presentation skills, so it is recommended that attendees already be proficient in public speaking, public affairs, or a qualified Disaster or Health & Safety instructor.

DAT WORKSHOP
DAT Workshop is an extension of Intro to Disaster by allowing the volunteer to attain training, knowledge, and implementation of skills needed to respond to a local disaster within an hour of notification, or when the site is deemed safe by the emergency on-scene command.  This class is a requirement for all volunteers who wish to participate on a local team that is called out to assist clients after a fire, flood, or storm disaster event.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING
Provides information on how to protect yourself and others while defensively driving on the road.  This class is necessary for all volunteers who will participate on a DAT team or work within the Material Support Services branch which require driving the company vehicles.

DISASTER ASSESSMENT BASICS
The purpose of this course is to provide a general overview of the tasks performed by Red Cross Disaster Assessment workers in support of a disaster relief operation and a local incident such as a single or multi-family fire.
The Disaster Assessment Basics course is not a replacement for the Fundamentals of Disaster Assessment (DSIMS200B) course; it is a complementary course developed for a different audience.  This new course is designed for local community volunteers, primarily Disaster Action Team (DAT) members.

DISASTER FRONTLINE SUPERVISOR (CLASS STUDY & 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.

DISASTER SERVICES: AN OVERVIEW
Disaster Services: An Overview is an instructor-led, basic level course that provides an introduction to Disaster Services at the American Red Cross. The course engages participants through integrated video and interactive activities.
The purpose of this course is to provide information about ways participants can help their community prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies and disasters. Participants also learn about volunteer opportunities at their local Red Cross chapter.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER/INCIDENT COMMAND LIAISON
The purpose of this basic Disaster Services course is to prepare Red Cross employees and volunteers who will be assigned to government and emergency settings to work collaboratively with Red Cross partners, helping to ensure a coordinated response that results in effective service delivery.
Requirements:
•Collaborating to Ensure Effective Service Delivery
•Sufficient operations knowledge and experience to provide a functional understanding of the concepts, principles and procedures associated with disaster assessment, sheltering, feeding, the provision of individual assistance and the basics of operations management needed to participate adequately in the discussions and activities contained in this course.

ERV CLASS AND ROAD STUDY
This course provides learners with the opportunity to learn about and use an Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) and all related equipment. The course consists of two parts that participants must complete: an instructor-led study and ERV orientation and road test.
Prerequisite: Disaster Services: An Overview
Requirements:
The volunteer must have valid drivers license and satisfactory DMV report, and Defensive Driving Certificate. Volunteer must also come both days to receive credit for completing this course. 

FINANCIAL AND STATISTICAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
The purpose of this basic-level disaster services course is to prepare Red Cross employees and volunteers to perform the tasks of a Financial & Statistical Information Management (FSI) service associate on a disaster relief operation.
Prerequisite: Disaster Services: An Overview

FOUNDATIONS OF DISASTER MENTAL HEALTH
The purpose of this basic level Disaster Services training is to prepare licensed mental health professionals to provide for and respond to the psychological needs of people across the continuum of disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
Requirements:
Mental health professional with a current state license, to include:  Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, A registered nurse (RN) with psychiatric nursing experience and training beyond the normal rotation required for a RN or Social Worker
It is strongly recommended (but not required) that all participants complete: • Fulfilling Our Mission: Translating Your Compassion into Community Action; Client Casework: Providing Emergency Assistance and Working With Total Diversity

FUNDAMENTALS OF DISASTER ASSESSMENT
Fundamentals of Disaster Assessment II is designed 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.  NOTE:  This is designed for those individuals who are interested in being called on a state or National Disaster operations.  If you are only interested in local level – the basics class is all you need.
Prerequisite: Disaster Assessment Basics

FUNDAMENTALS OF DISASTER PUBLIC AFFAIRS: THE LOCAL RESPONSE
Fundamentals of Disaster Public Affairs: The Local Response is a facilitator-led course that introduces Red Cross communicators to the critical tasks necessary to initiate a chapter disaster public affairs response.
Participants will have the opportunity to engage in case-based scenarios, group exercises, practice activities and open discussions. These participatory activities reinforce important concepts and meet segment objectives.
The purpose of this course is to prepare Red Cross Disaster Public Affairs employees and volunteers to initiate the public affairs activity at their local chapter by providing an overview of the American Red Cross Disaster Public Affairs, enabling chapter communicators to begin working in the Disaster Public Affairs role. And to Prepare any Red Cross employee or volunteer to effectively respond to local media inquiries and to proactively present Red Cross messaging.
Prerequisites:
Disaster Services - An Overview
Disaster Public Affairs Overview (Take online at https://classes.redcross.org/Saba/Web/Main )

HEALTH SERVICES RESPONSE
Health Services Response is an instructor-led workshop designed to orient licensed or certified health professionals to the roles and responsibilities of a Health Services Service Associate when working on behalf of the American Red Cross to meet the disaster-related health needs of clients.  These activities require workshop participants to apply their professional knowledge, experience and critical thinking abilities to the work-related challenges experienced by Red Cross workers who provide immediate assistance to clients in the aftermath of a disaster.
Requirements:
Prerequisites: Health Services Response is intended for Red Cross employees and volunteers with a current professional license or certificate to practice as a CAN, EMT, LPN/LVN, PA, RN or MD and who are interested in working in their relief operation and functions as health professionals within the Health Services Protocols. 

INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW
This course is intended to raise awareness among American Red Cross representatives and general audiences about the Geneva Conventions, the basic rule of international humanitarian law, and the role of the Red Cross during armed conflict.  Through a hands-on approach utilizing group activities, class discussion and multiple audiovisual aids, this newly-updated introductory course invites participants to reflect on their images and perceptions of armed conflict and explore the powerful and fundamental concept of human dignity even in the midst of the excess of war.
Prerequisite: Disaster Services: An Overview

LOGISTICS OVERVIEW AND SIMULATIONS
The purpose of this course is to provide basic information about the processes of Material Support Services activities in support of an American Red Cross disaster relief operation. Participants will learn about the skills, abilities and knowledge needed by Material Support Services workers and how they can become involved in their local chapter.  Material Support Services is the activity that works behind the scenes to organize, accept, store, or transport goods and materials received by the ARC.  NOTE:  This is a 2-part class.  You must attend both nights in order to get credit.
Prerequisite: Disaster Services: An Overview
For Charlotte, this course will be offered at a later date(s) in 2011. Please continue to check this website for a future scheduled date.

NATIONAL DEPLOYMENT 101
Provides information for volunteers who are considering being deployed to a National Disaster to learn from a senior volunteer about deployment.  This class is an information session where volunteers can hear first hand accounts from local people who have been deployed and gather valuable information on what to expect.
Prerequisite: Disaster Services: An Overview

PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID
The course provides a framework for understanding the factors that affect stress responses in disaster relief workers and the clients they serve.  In addition, it provides practical suggestions about what you can say and do as your practice the principles of Psychological First Aid.
Prerequisite: Disaster Services: An Overview

SHELTER OPERATIONS/SIMULATIONS
Shelter Operations is a class designed for learners to acquire knowledge of Red Cross policies and procedures for setting up, running, and closing a shelter during a disaster.  Shelter Simulations allows the participants to apply what they have learned in various table top sessions from the previous training in Shelter Operations.  NOTE:  This is a 2-part class.  You must attend both nights in order to get credit.
Prerequisite: Disaster Services: An Overview

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION/TERRORISM: AN OVERIEW
The purpose of this course is to provide basic information about the issues and safety concerns related to responding to a disaster incident in an environment involving Weapons of Mass Destruction/Terrorism (WMD/T).  Participants will learn about the knowledge, skills and abilities needed by disaster workers performing duties in this environment.
Prerequisite: Disaster Services: An Overview

WORKING WITH TOTAL DIVERSITY
This course is a skill-based training program that provides tools for achieving total diversity in our people, programs and services.  It focuses on the critical skills you need to be effective in working with and serving in diverse communities.
Prerequisite: Disaster Services: An Overview