The Disaster Volunteering training series empowers community members to take charge in their community and to collaborate effectively with emergency managers. Designed for first-time disaster volunteers, this three-module curriculum teaches resilience-building techniques for self-care and effective communication skills. The series also introduces participants to the life cycle of a disaster, the all-hazards approach to disaster management, and various organizational response systems, including: Community Emergency Response Teams, the National Response Plan, the Incident Command System (ICS 100) and the structure of the federal, state and local emergency management systems. Through this training, participants obtain the skills and knowledge needed to become “powerful volunteers” and to promote powerful volunteering to others. The DPTM staff at World Cares Center offers the introductory DVI training on a regular basis at World Cares Center’s Headquarters. Please view the events calendar for details.
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS
Disaster Volunteering I (DVI) is a workshop designed for individuals interested in becoming disaster volunteers. Participants are presented with an accurate and holistic understanding of the realities of disaster and emergency work which they use in evaluating how ready, able and prepared they are to begin volunteering. Participants learn the concepts behind “powerful volunteering” including skills in communication, personal safety and teamwork. A primary goal of DVI is to teach participants that proper self-care is the foundation for powerful volunteering.
Disaster Volunteering II (DVII) focuses on adding breadth and depth to the skills provided during DVI, while introducing new concepts and information to help participants understand the expectations placed on them as they volunteer in a variety of emergency and disaster situations. Participants are introduced to the “life cycle of a disaster” and various associated organizational systems such as the “all-hazards” approach to disaster planning, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), National Response Plan, American Red Cross, Incident Command System (ICS 100), Federal Emergency Management Agency and Point of Distribution model. Intensive skill development in effective communication, reflective listening, working in a team, safety and self-care, are central to DVII. DVII is currently in development.
Disaster Volunteering III (DVIII) allows community members who want to move beyond individual preparedness to work within neighborhoods to increase community preparedness. Participants will be trained on how to teach both DVI and DVII to their neighborhoods as well as conduct Community Needs Assessment and a Community Resource Inventory. Participants will learn how to organize their neighborhoods in the creation of preparedness plans including communication and evacuation plans. DVIII is currently in development.
To learn more, email info@worldcares.org or call 212.563.7570 .