There are three categories of shelters - Red Cross, partners, and agency-controlled.  In the first case, the shelter is entirely run with Red Cross personnel.  For the partner shelter, the shelter is managed and supplied by Red Cross with the partner (church) supplying some or all of the staff.   In the third case,  the agency manages the shelter and the Red Cross supplies it.  

For the Methodist Church, the partner option is recommended in that Red Cross covers any liability and damages, inspects the buildings to see if the location will fulfill Red Cross parameters and draws up an agreement, screens and trains the church workers in advance, and develops a working relationship with the church.  In the case of a disaster, a call may come asking if the church shelter can be opened at that time.  If the answer is positive, then an inspection of the area designated will be the next step.

Not all of the church may be required for use as a shelter as a gym or fellowship hall will be used for the cots.  In addition to that will be the rest rooms and showers which can be provided by the Disaster Response Ministry providing a shower trailer and port-a-potties.  So areas of the church can be designated as off limits and, thus available to the congregation for worship, etc. 

Training for these teams is as follows. 

TRAINING REQUIRED BY EACH INDIVIDUAL

ARC Volunteer Registration/Criminal Background Check The American Red Cross has a secure website for registering.  The criminal background check is completed and an email is sent to the local Red Cross chapter and you.  The email describes a method for you to sign on and get your results which should be printed off and saved.     

001 M-100 Introduction to Disaster Response (3 hrs) No matter what type of team one is headed to, everyone will receive this training. There is a lot of background information that the new volunteer will need in order to function effectively in a disaster.  Aspects covered are disaster terminology, ministry basis of disaster response, Methodist history, agencies in disaster, disaster relief services, the disaster team, disaster team member, how to prepare, and what to take.  This course must be renewed every three years. [Taught in classroom, Student manual, PowerPoint, and wallet certification, cost of making ID]  Required for personnel in North Georgia Conference Disaster Response Ministry.

031 ARC: Introduction to Disaster Services-Red Cross (1 hr)  The online course may be taken at the Red Cross Disaster Web page.  

002 IS-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System (2 hrs) Federal regulation (Directive 5 HSPD-5) requires that requires all personnel responding during the Emergency Stage have completed IS-100 and 700 or not participate during the first post-disaster stage (Emergency Stage) until the courses have been completed.  This will impact Disaster Assessment Teams, CERT Teams, some Disaster Response Teams, some Field Kitchen Teams, and Shower/Laundry Teams.  This course introduces the Incident Command System and provides the foundation for higher-level ICS-training.  This course describes the history, procedures, and principles, and organizational structure of the Incident Command System.  It also explains the relationships between ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). [Taught in classroom, Student manual, classroom w/test or on-line course w/test and certification]  Required for all personnel who response early in a disaster (Early Response Teams, Shelter Teams, Disaster Assessment Team, and Base Camp Team).

003 IS-700 Introduction to National Incident Management System (3 hrs) This course explains the purpose, principles, key components and benefits of NIMS.  The course also contains “Planning Activity” screens giving you an opportunity to complete some planning takes during  the course.  [Student manual, classroom w/test or on-line course w/ test and certification] Required for all personnel who response early in a disaster (Early Response Teams, Shelter Teams, Disaster Assessment Team, and Base Camp Team).

0033 ARC: Mass Care (Community Services Overview)  This course has changed names several times in the past year or two with the new name of Mass Care.  The course paints a picture of the Red Cross response to a community in disaster.  Oftentimes this course is supposed to be much earlier than listed; however by putting it where it is the course can be used as part of the ongoing support. 

032 ARC: Fulfilling Our Mission  

034 ARC Shelter Operations  A class that leads one through the steps of opening, receiving, feeding, dorm area, and closing the shelter.  

035 ARC: Shelter Simulation  A small group tabletop exercise that employs the principles covered in the Shelter Operations class. 

ADDITIONAL TRAINING REQUIRED FOR SHIFT SUPERVISOR

004 ARC First Aid including CPR-AED-FA (8 hrs) No team to go into the field without a certified first aid person and the more qualified the better.  Additionally, more than one person should be qualified. The recommended course is taught by the American Red Cross.

036 ARC Shelter Manager  A course devoted to overseeing the operation of a shelter and the issues that might have to be addressed.

103 IS-200 ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents  This is designed to enable personnel to operate efficiently during an incident or event within the Incident Command System (ICS) and provides training on and resources for personnel who are likely to assume a supervisory position within the ICS. IS-100 is a pre-requisite to the IS-200 course.  Lessons are as follows: Leadership & Management, Delegation of Authority & Management by Objectives, Functional Areas & Positions, Briefings, Organizational Flexibility, Transfer of Command, and Course Summary [Self-study online w/test or classroom course] Required for Team Leaders, Church Disaster Coordinators, District Disaster Personnel, and Conference Disaster Personnel.