Disaster Response Training Courses
The following disaster response training courses are open to the public but are designed primarily for those individuals wishing to begin or continue training for the local Disaster Action Team (DAT) or the National Disaster Services Human Resources (DSHR) System. All courses are free of charge and subject to change.

So that we can have sufficient training materials, please register at least one week prior to the class. Classes will be held at the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley, 2200 Avenue A, Bethlehem.

Courses may be taken:
  • online (through the Red Cross Learning Management System),
  • in an instructor-led classroom setting, or
  • through blended learning (a combination of online instruction and an instructor-led classroom setting.)
Prior to registering for any disaster response training courses, all prospective disaster volunteers must have completed a volunteer application, basic background check and must attend the "New Volunteer Orientation" hosted by Bob Duld, chief operating officer. Contact Robert J. Duld at 610-865-4400, ext. 229, or at DuldR@usa.redcross.org for the next available orientation class.

Upon completion of the orientation, you can register for a disaster response training class by contacting Nina Johnson, manager-disaster services, at 610-865-4400, ext. 227, or at JohnsonNi@usa.redcross.org or filling out the registration form. For online training, please call Nina Johnson for instructions.

List of Disaster Training Classes Disaster Services: An Overview
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. This course is a pre-requisite for all disaster training.
    Prerequisites:
  • None
    Not Scheduled At This Time

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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 a Bulk Distribution operation in the chapter and on a disaster relief operation.

    Prerequisites:
  • Disaster Services: An Overview
    Not Scheduled At This Time
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Client Assistance Cards: Caseworkers Course
This course consists of three modules that introduce caseworkers to the role of issuing Client Assistance Cards. (2 hours online; pre-req: Client Casework: Providing Emergency Assistance) This online class is offered through the Red Cross Learning Management System. Please call Nina Johnson at 610-865-4400, ext. 227 for instructions.

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Client Casework: Providing Emergency Assistance
An instructor-led, video-supported course designed to train 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.
    Prerequisites:
  • Disaster Services: An Overview
    Not Scheduled At This Time

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Disaster Assessment Basics
Disaster Assessment Basics is an instructor-led, basic level course. The course encompasses the tasks and responsibilities of the Disaster Assessment activity on a disaster relief operation. The course includes a section on local disaster incidents, which may be customized by the instructor for a local disaster program.
    Prerequisites:
  • Disaster Services: An Overview
    Not Scheduled At This Time

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Disaster Frontline Supervisor
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.
    Prerequisites:
  • Applicants should have the training and experience equivalent to a Service Associate in an activity in which she or he expects to become a supervisor.
    Not Scheduled At This Time
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Disaster Frontline Supervisor Simulation
The purpose of the simulation is to provide participants an opportunity to practice their supervisory knowledge and skills in leading teams that deliver high quality service and to create a climate that promotes worker satisfaction.
    Prerequisites:
  • Applicants should have the training and experience equivalent to a Service Associate in an activity in which she or he expects to become a supervisor.
    Not Scheduled At This Time
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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.
    Prerequisites:
  • Disaster Services: An Overview
  • Mental health professional with a current state license 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
    • Social Worker
    Recommended:
  • Working With Total Diversity
    •
  • Client Casework: Providing Emergency Assistance
    •
    Not Scheduled At This Time

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Fundamentals of Staff Services
This online course prepares volunteers to support the staffing function during a disaster operation. (3 hours online; pre-req: none) This online class is offered through the Red Cross Learning Management System. Please call Nina Johnson at 610-865-4400, ext. 227 for instructions.

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Health Services Response Workshop
The purpose of this workshop is to prepare licensed or certified health professionals to either work in their local chapter jurisdiction or be deployed to a Red Cross disaster relief operation and function as health professionals within the Health Services Protocols.
    Prerequisites:
  • Disaster Services: An Overview
    •  Recommended:
  • Serving People with Disabilities Following a Disaster
  • Client Casework: Providing Emergency Assistance
  • Shelter Operations
  • Staff Health: Deploying a Healthy Workforce
  • Client Assistance System training
    •
    Not Scheduled At This Time
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Logistics: An Overview
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.
    Prerequisites:
  • Disaster Services: An Overview
    Not Scheduled At This Time
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Mass Casualty Disaster
An instructor-led and video-supported course designed to prepare employees and volunteers to plan for and respond to mass casualty disasters. The course combines presentations and class discussions and uses real-world examples to explore the four types of mass casualty disasters and the Red Cross' role in planning and response

    Prerequisites:
  • Must have responded to a large disaster either within their community or on a DSHR assignment.
    Not Scheduled At This Time

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Orientation to Disaster Response
The purpose of this training is to orientate new volunteers to the location of supplies and the necessary items needed in order to respond to any disaster. The class will show you exactly where cots, blankets and necessary supplies are located. It will also show you how to restock and be ready for the next event. This course is mandatory for all volunteers to ensure their readiness to response.

Location: This training is held at the Augie Seidel, Jr. Disaster Operations Center

    Prerequisites:
  • Orientation to the Red Cross
  • At least one other basic disaster class
    Not Scheduled At This Time

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Preparing for and Managing a Spontaneous Volunteer Workforce
An online course that provides Red Cross staff with the knowledge and skills to prepare for, manage and maximize the use of a spontaneous volunteer workforce during a disaster event. (3 hours online; pre-req: none) This online class is offered through the Red Cross Learning Management System. Please call Nina Johnson at 610-865-4400, ext. 227 for instructions.

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Psychological First Aid
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.

    Prerequisites:
  • None
    Not Scheduled At This Time
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Serving People with Disabilities Following a Disaster
The purpose of this basic level Disaster Services course is to outline Red Cross policies and practices related to providing services to people with disabilities following a disaster.
    Prerequisites:
  • Disaster Services: An Overview
The online component of the course is a required prerequisite for the instructor-led component.
    Not Scheduled At This Time
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Shelter Operations
The purpose of this basic level Disaster services course is to prepare employees and volunteers of the Red Cross and other agencies to manage shelter operations effectively and sensitively as a team, while meeting the needs of people displaced as a result of a disaster.
    Prerequisites:
  • Disaster Services: An Overview
    Not Scheduled At This Time
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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.
    Prerequisites:
  • Disaster Services: An Overview
  • Shelter Operations
    Not Scheduled At This Time
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Staff Health: An Overview
This online course consists of four learning modules and a final assessment that reside on the Red Cross Learning Management System (LMS). The course will familiarize participants with the mission and services provided by the Staff Health activity. (3 hour online; pre-req: none) This online class is offered through the Red Cross Learning Management System. Please call Nina Johnson at 610-865-4400, ext. 227 for instructions.

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Staff Health: Working on Disaster Relief Operations
This online course consists of four separate learning modules that reside on the Red Cross Learning Management System (LMS). The course will familiarize participants with their duties as workers in the Staff Health activity. (3 hour online; pre-req: none) This online class is offered through the Red Cross Learning Management System. Please call Nina Johnson at 610-865-4400, ext. 227 for instructions.

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Weapons of Mass Destruction/Terrorism: An Overview
The purpose of this course is to provide basic information about the issues and safety concerns in performing our work in an environment involving a Weapons of Mass Destruction and/or Terrorism (WMD/T) incident. Participants will learn about the skills, abilities, and knowledge needed by disaster workers providing duties in this environment.
    Prerequisites:
  • Disaster Services: An Overview
    Not Scheduled At This Time

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Workforce Planning and Acquisition
This online course provides Workforce Planning and Acquisition workers with skills needed and knowledge of their roles and responsibilities, expectations and procedures. (3 hours online; pre-req: none) This online class is offered through the Red Cross Learning Management System. Please call Nina Johnson at 610-865-4400, ext. 227 for instructions.

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