Disaster Services

Each year, Red Cross paid and volunteer staff responds to more than 50,000 disasters, ranging from single-family house fires to major disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes.  They help hundreds of thousands of their neighbors by providing food, clothing, shelter, and other emergency needs--free of charge.  In addition, Red Cross chapters are involved long before disasters occur, educating the community on how to stay safe should a disaster strike. 

          Goodhue County Disaster Services responded 16 times in 2002.  We need more volunteers to serve on the Disaster Action Team (DAT).  DAT volunteers are required to take three courses that will train them to assist individuals affected by disaster. To find out more on how to become a Disaster Volunteer or more about the disaster services we provide you can call the Goodhue County Chapter at 651-388-9166 and Ask For the Emergency Services Coordinator. or e-mail  goodhueredcross@qwestoffice.net

Disaster Classes Offered

All disaster training is free and available to anyone interested in helping their neighbors in an emergency.

Introduction to Disaster Services  

This provides basic information about disaster and its effects, outlines the role of agencies in disaster relief, and introduces American Red Cross Disaster Services.

Prerequisite – None

Mass Care: An Overview

This training provides basic information about the activities of the Mass Care function.  Participants will learn about the skills and abilities needed by Mass Care workers.
Prerequisite - Introduction to Disaster Services.

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 Family Services

This course instructs Red Cross staff in meeting emergency needs of families following a disaster in a chapter setting.
Prerequisite - Introduction to Disaster Services.

Serving the Diverse Community

This course is designed to assist all service providers in meeting the needs of the changing populations in the communities of the American Red Cross.

Prerequisite - None

Shelter Operations

This course prepares Red Cross and other agencies' staff to effectively and sensitively manage shelter operations as a team, meeting the needs of the those displaced by disaster.   
Prerequisite - Introduction to Disaster Services. & Mass Care: An Overview

Shelter Simulation

This training provides participants an opportunity to practice the knowledge and skills needed to run a successful shelter operation.
Prerequisite - Shelter Operations

Managing Total Diversity

This course focuses on concepts that will improve your understanding of managing a multicultural workforce. To achieve total diversity, managers need to understand how their decisions impact the people, program and service aspects of our business. By completing this course, participants will be able to contribute to diversity awareness in the Red Cross and develop their commitment to an inclusive cross-cultural work environment.

Prerequisite: Supervisory Experience.

Damage Assessment

This training prepares Red Cross paid and volunteer staff to serve as Damage Assessment workers to obtain and report damage assessment information and provide operational support on disaster operations.  
Prerequisite - Introduction to Disaster Services.

Records & Reports

This course will provide Red Cross disaster workers with the training to perform R&R activities on a disaster operation. Specific tasks such as maintaining confidential records and generating timely reports will be taught.

Prerequisite: Intro to Disaster Services.

Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) Training

This workshop is designed for people who take the ERV out into the field and work aboard it to facilitate Red Cross disaster response and service delivery.  This course requires both a written test (due upon arrival to class) and a driving test.
Prerequisites - Introduction to Disaster Services, Mass Care: An Overview, Community First Aid and Safety, valid Driver's License, and the ability to lift 50 pounds.