Disaster classes are scheduled, primarily, on a quarterly basis. Beginning and Intermediate courses are offered several times a year, according to the influx of new volunteers, and the requirement needs of current volunteers. If you are interested in taking a particular class, feel free to contact the Emergency Services Manager and request the class(es) you are interested in taking.
Advanced classes often require that American Red Cross staff and nationally trained instructors travel from National Headquarters in Washington D.C. and the lower 48 states to teach the classes. Because of this great distance, and cost related to travel and expenses, advanced courses are generally only offered when 10 or more students need the course. This requires extensive preplanning and should be coordinated with the Emergency Services Coordinator.
If you need or would like to inquire about specific classes, contact the office nearest you so that a roster of potential students can be developed. The more volunteers who show a desire to learn and take emergency response and preparation courses, the more classes will be offered. You, the Volunteers, are the foundation of the American Red Cross. Please visit our Disaster Class Schedule to see what classes are being offered in your area.
Basic / Introductory Classes
•Intro to Disaster Services
•Mass Care: Overview
•Damage Assessment
•Family Services
•Mass Casualty Disasters
•Disaster Mental Health - An Overview
•Disaster Mental Health Services I
•Disaster Health Services I
•Disaster Health Services Simulation
•Disaster Welfare Inquiry
•Disaster Welfare Inquiry Simulation Exercise
•Emergency Operations Center
•ERV
•Food Service
•Liaison I
•Human Resources in Disaster
•Logistics I
•Logistics Simulation Exercise
•Public Affairs I
•Records & Reports
•Shelter Operations
•Shelter Simulation
•Weapons of Mass Destruction/Terrorism: an Overview
•Working with Total Diversity
Intermediate Classes
•Fundamentals of Chapter Disaster Operation
•Liaison II
•Mass Care II
•Public Affairs II
•Staffing II
•State Relations - Disaster Liaison
Advanced Classes
•Additional Assistance to Families
•Disaster Instructor Specialist Training
•Family Service Supervision I
•Instructor Candidate Training
•Service Delivery Site Management
•Supervision in Disaster
Disaster Preparedness and Response for Nurses
New Disaster Case Study Online Course - Continuing Education Offering
The American Red Cross Office of the Chief Nurse has collaborated with Sigma Theta Tau, the international honor society of nursing, to develop an online continuing education offering, "Disaster Preparedness and Response for Nurses." Available at a minimal cost to nurses, this offering is designed to provide nurses with an overview of their role in responding to a weapons of mass destruction/terrorism (WMD/T) event or other disaster. While it is not a replacement for Red Cross disaster health services training, it is an excellent way to expand the visibility of Red Cross nurses, as well as to increase the awareness of the importance of nurses in disaster preparedness and response. Nurses completing this case study can receive 2 contact hours of continuing education credit. The case study may be found here.