Disaster Courses

DSGEN201C - Introduction to Disaster Services is an online course consisting of three separate learning modules that will introduce learners to American Red Cross Disaster Services and allow them to discover how volunteers support this critical mission and to explore ways they can become involved in a local chapter. The course takes approximately 45 minutes to complete.

DSMCC200A - Mass Care: An Overview is designed to introduce the learners to the activities for the Mass Care group. It involves video segments, instructor lectures and classroom activities. The purpose of this basic level Disaster Services training is to provide an overview of the activities performed by the Mass Care group in support of a disaster relief operation. The course takes approximately 3 hours to complete. Fulfilling Our Mission: Translating Your Compassion Into Community Action and Introduction to Disaster Services are prerequisites for this training.

DSIMS200A - Fundamentals of Disaster Assessment is an instructor-led component will reinforce and build upon content presented in the online while providing participants with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and develop skills in Disaster Assessment through applied learning activities The course takes approximately 4 hours to complete.

DSIMS200B - Fundamentals of Disaster Assessment (online) is a blended learning course consisting of two components, online and instructor-led. The online component, which is a prerequisite to the Fundamentals of Disaster Assessment instructor-led component, provides an overview of the Disaster Assessment activity and its related tasks through six self-paced learning modules. The course takes approximately 3.5 hours to complete. Participants must demonstrate mastery of the concepts presented in the online component by correctly answering at least 80% of the questions on a final assessment to receive a certificate of course completion.

DSCLS200C - Client Assistance Cards: Caseworkers is a basic level online course that consists of three separate learning modules and takes approximately two hours to complete. The course introduces caseworkers to the role of issuing Client Assistance Cards by interviewing clients, filling out the proper forms and activating Client Assistance Cards via phone. The course addresses both a disaster relief operation and a local response. Client Casework: Providing Emergency Assistance (DSCLC202A) or Family Service: Providing Emergency Assistance (ARC-3072-6) is a required prerequisite and Fulfilling Our Mission: Translating Your Compassion Into Community Action is a recommended prerequisite.

DSCLS201C - Client Assistance Cards: Financial and Statistical Information Management Workers is a basic level online course that consists of four separate learning modules and takes approximately 3 hours to complete. The course leads Financial and Statistical Information Management (FSI) workers through the Caseworker's role of issuing Client Assistance Cards by interviewing clients, filling out the proper forms and activating Client Assistance Cards via phone. It then addresses how FSI workers distribute, control and track cards on both a disaster relief operation and during a local response. Client Casework: Providing Emergency Assistance (DSCLC202A) or Family Service: Providing Emergency Assistance (ARC-3072-6) is a required prerequisite and Fulfilling Our Mission: Translating Your Compassion Into Community Action is a recommended prerequisite.

ARC 3068-11 Shelter Operations teaches participants how to effectively staff a Red Cross shelter and to sensitively manage shelter operations as a team, to meet the needs of displaced people as a result of a disaster. Course prerequisites are Introduction to Disaster Services and Mass Care: An Overview. Course time is approximately 3 ½ hours.

ARC 3068-12 Shelter Simulation provides participants with an opportunity to practice knowledge and skills needed to run a successful shelter operation. Prerequisites are: Introduction to Disaster Services, Mass Care: An Overview and Shelter Operations. Participants should bring their workbooks from the Shelter Operations course for use during the simulation. Course time is approximately 3 ½ hours.

ARC 3072-1 Client Casework: Providing Emergency Assistance is designed to help the participants develop the interviewing skills, knowledge, attitudes, and relationships necessary to meet the disaster-caused needs of individuals and families. Prerequisite is : Introduction to Disaster Services. Course time is approximately 8 hours.

MLC 1001W Disaster Action Team (DAT) Workshop is an introduction to the need for, and workings of, Disaster Action Teams and how to join through the participants local chapter. Prerequisite is Introduction to Disaster Services. This workshop takes approximately 2 ½ hours.

ARC 3079-2 Weapons of Mass Destruction/Terrorism: An Overview examines the differences in the Red Cross response to a WMD/T event. It provides basic information about issues and safety concerns in performing our work in an environment involving a Weapons of Mass Destruction and/or Terrorism (WMD/T) incident. Prerequisite is: Introduction to Disaster Services. Course time is approximately 3 ½ hours.

ARC 3080-1 Public Affairs in Disaster I is a Basic Course that prepares staff to work with the Public Affairs function on a local disaster relief operation and to initiate the Public Affairs function on a major disaster relief operation. Prerequisite is: Introduction to Disaster Services. Course time is approximately 8 hours.

MLC 1002W “Together We Prepare” is a program designed to assist members of the community to be prepared in the event of a natural or man-made disaster event.The program presents five concrete actions that every individual or family can take: Make A Plan, Build A Kit, Get Trained, Volunteer, and Give Blood. There is no prerequisite for this program. The program can be presented in approximately 1 hour.

ARC 4416 Workshop for Development of Community Disaster Education Presenters is designed to prepare participants for delivery of quality Community Disaster Education presentations by providing background information and support. The workshop provides information on ways to overcome disaster denial issues to motivate individuals and family disaster preparedness actions. It focuses on how to choose appropriate messages for target audiences and selecting materials that convey those messages. The workshop takes approximately 6 hours.

ARC 3090-1 Fundamentals of Facilitation and Instruction will provide basic information about the skills, abilities, and knowledge needed to become a Basic and Intermediate instructor and facilitator for the American Red Cross Disaster Services Training System. Participants will learn how to represent the Red Cross, what functions and methods are used by effective instructors, and how to prepare for, conduct, and evaluate Disaster Services training courses and simulations. Prerequisites include: Introduction to Disaster Services and three other Basic Disaster Training Courses. This course can be completed in 3 hours. * This course may be taken as a self-study. Participants must view the videotape and complete the activities in the workbook. After the participant has completed the course, he or she returns the videotape, completed quiz, and course evaluation to the chapter resource person.

ARC 5014 Public Speaking Workshop is designed to (1) increase participants’ ability to be effective public speakers on behalf of the Red Cross, (2) develop participants’ knowledge of the core concepts of public speaking, and (3) introduce participants to techniques for developing public speaking ability: The workshop covers how to plan and deliver presentations and key factors that affect overall public speaking performance. Participant exercises are a significant part of the workshop. This workshop takes approximately 6 hours to complete.

A1503 Working With Total Diversity is a skills-based training course that provides the tools for creating inclusive relationships with colleagues and clients. It focuses on the conversational skills participants will need to be effective in working and serving in diverse communities. This course replaces Serving the Diverse Community (SDC) course. Working With Total Diversity is a facilitated course delivered by nationally trained and certified Human Resources facilitators. This course is scheduled for 8 hours.