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I wish I could start this post with some noble monologue about compassion and how important it is to help one’s fellow human and all that as far as why I’m volunteering, but I’m afraid I’ll have to leave that to guys like the Dalai Lama (who say it a lot better than I do) and just say I’m going because it’s the right thing to do.
To volunteer for the Hurricane Katrina/Gulf Coast deployment one must take three classes, listed below with a brief summary taken from the Red Cross website.
Introduction to Disaster Services is a Basic Disaster Course that focuses on fundamental information about disasters, community response, and role of the Red Cross Disaster Services. Prerequisites: None; this course is a prerequisite for all other Disaster Services courses. Length: 3 hours
Mass Care Overview
The purpose of this training is to provide basic information about the activities of the Mass Care function. Participants will learn about the skills and abilities needed by Mass Care workers and how they can get started in their local chapter. As a result of this training, participants should be able to: (1) Describe the role of Mass Care on Red Cross disaster relief operations and the services provided by this function. (2) Explain how Mass Care workers deliver quality service to clients. (3) Match their interests, abilities, and skills with those needed in each Mass Care activity. (4) Develop a plan of action for further involvement with the Red Cross. Participants of this course are required to have already completed the following prerequisite course: Introduction to Disaster Services (ARC 3066).
Shelter Operations
Prepare Red Cross and other agencies' staff to effectively and sensitively manage shelter operations as a team, and to meet the needs of people displaced as a result of a disaster.
The way the process was explained to me is as follows. You take the three classes in the order listed above. Once you take the third class you are given a set of requirements to fulfill and paperwork to fill out. Once you get this squared away, you interview with the local director of disaster services and give him dates when you will be available. From there he tells you where you will be going and very basically what you will probably be doing.
I have taken the first class online and took Mass Care last night. The class was some training about what taking care of a whole lot of people consisted of, some warning about what we may or may not be getting ourselves into(the information they had was sketchy at best). If I said I wasn’t scared I would be lying. It was mostly an older crowd(I'm 29), which makes sense as most people my age don't have the desire(sometimes) or the vacation time(mostly) to go off to the deep south to volunteer. The last class is Thursday and I'll post Friday night with an update.
List of Red Cross Classes via the Northern Fairfax, Virginia USA Chapter |
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