Talk:Training

FEMA's Online courses for ACT volunteers and animal rescuers
FEMA's Online courses for ACT volunteers and animal rescuers

The minimum that we're asking our "hands on" volunteers to complete are as follows: IS 10, IS 11 (modules a & b) IS 100, IS 111, IS 200, NIMS 700 and NIMS 800. Without completion of at least these few modules, you won't even be permitted to walk a dog in post disaster Louisiana. So far Louisiana is the only state that requires volunteers to complete these courses, but we see a trend being set, and suspect other states will follow their example. These courses are all free to the public. The more FEMA modules that you complete, the greater service you'll be providing for animals in need.

For the first time ever, in response to new standards in animal rescue, animal rescue volunteers are garnering animal rescue credentials and standing by, vaccinated and prepared - ready to work shoulder to shoulder with Emergency Responders under a single command.

In order to respond more effectively in a disaster, many States are demanding a minimum standard of preparedness and training and animal rescuers have taken up the challenge long before the passage of new State and Federal Pet Evacuation laws.

In the State of Louisiana, animal rescue organizations are affiliating with local parishes under Memoranda of Understanding so that they will be most effective under an overarching Incident Command structure. Volunteers must be affiliated with a rescue group in order to deploy into the disaster area and therefore rescue groups share the responsibility to get their volunteers fully trained.

Online training utilizes a combination of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) classes and online White Papers and lectures as coursework.

Certain FEMA classes are already mandatory for participation in animal rescue in the State of Louisiana.

FEMA certified volunteers stand toe to toe with the likes of any other first responders in emergency response services like Firemen, Red Cross and Military but with the attention and focus on animals - from household pets, to large animals and wildlife.

The certification classes are offered to ACT and it's volunteers free and online. Course material can be downloaded and studied in PDF or word document format or online on the FEMA website. http://training.fema.gov/EMIweb/IS/crslist.asp

The first tutorial “How to Do a Course Online” is straightforward enough so that anyone can learn how to study online. Thereafter students get to study courses such as Animals in Disaster, Incident Command and others.

Once the substantive course material has been perused, there is an online exam. Success comes in a small white and blue envelope in the mail bearing a Certificate of Completion of the course. Students collect their certificates and aggregate them into various Certificates of Completion, such as the Professional Development Series. Completed certificates is the passport to their passion... helping animals in disaster.

Thank you, feel free to discuss the courses with each other on the discussion group, start study groups to help you work through them, ask questions, keep it fun, and remember that you're NOT alone. Here's the web address again: http://training.fema.gov/EMIweb/IS/crslist.asp

Take your time and read the study guides though, then open a separate browser with your test answers, and take it like an open book test. The first two are pretty simple, just to boost your confidence, but you'll get the general idea. It's a lot of reading, but it really isn't all that difficult, that is as long as you DO read the study guide.

I've saved all of my study questions and answer sheets to use for future study guides, a quick refresher course if you will, because you just never know when it may come in handy. Also remember to laminate copies of your certificates so they can be carried with you out in the field. Keep them together with your study guides, so while you're in the process of packing up to spend a few weeks somewhere you'll have everything handy.

Don't forget your clothes, nothing fancy please, 20 prs of socks, a couple pairs of comfortable shoes, welding gloves to the elbows, sunscreen, insect repellent, sweat bands or bandanas and an extra weeks worth of any medication you have to take.

....and by the time you've made it to this point, you may be wondering "am I crazy for doing this?" The answer is NO...you're difinitely not crazy...you' re about to perform one of the greatest selfless acts of your life. Something that you will be proud of for as long as you live, and you'll meet others just like you and you'll form tight relationships with each other...and those will remain strong as long as you have the memories if what you all shared together..

JoAnne Reints President, Animal Crisis Team member: Emergency Animal Rescue Service member: Alabama Humane Federation MHASWA pet therapy volunteer