What type of Training should you attend?
We encourage volunteers to continue on a path of ongoing learning and experience to develop strong communications and data mining skill sets. This summary provides an overview of the classes we recommend for volunteers. Some classes are independent study and others are instructor-led via Skype. Please reach out and ask any of the team leads if you have questions regarding how to complete training or if you have suggestions on new coursework to add to the curriculum.
Volunteers – A Suggested Training Path
1) New Volunteer Orientation
2) Self-Directed Work Teams
3) Media Monitoring and the Disaster Desk
4) IS-42 Social Media for Emergency Managers
5) IS-700 An Introduction to NIMS
6) Introduction to Micro-Tasking
7) Independent Study SkyWarn Spotter Training
8) Solar Event Monitoring
9) IS-10.A: Animals in Disasters: Awareness and Preparedness
New Volunteers
HRClass: New Volunteer Orientation
Prerequisite: No Prerequisite
Duration: 2 hours
Overview: This class is required for all new volunteers and provides an overview of the organization, various volunteer roles and current response activities and projects. Also covered are basics of navigating the website and volunteer portal as well as basic tools training such as navigating Skype, scheduling.
Participating in the training: Training is instructor led via a Skype voice conference call. Students will need access to Skype. How to enroll Attend.
Active Volunteers
Active volunteers have access to the following classes, login to view class dates and enroll.
HRClass: Media Monitoring and the Disaster Desk
Prerequisite: New Volunteer Orientation
Duration: 90 minutes
Overview This class is for volunteers who wish to learn how to monitor media sources for emerging information during disaster. The class provides an introduction to the organization’s documentation for monitoring and tracking information discovered. Also included are tips on how to search social media for specific types of information.
Participating in Training: Students will need access to Skype and the Internet. Login to view training calendar and signup
HRClass: Self Directed Work Teams
Prerequisite: New Volunteer Orientation, Media Monitoring and the Disaster Desk
Duration: 90 minutes
Overview This class provides an introduction to self-directed work teams and how these teams different from traditional work teams. The student will be provided information on tips for leading and working in self-directed work teams.
Participating in the training: Training is instructor led via a Skype voice conference call. Students will need access to Skype and access to view online videos via YouTube. How to enroll: Login to view training calendar and signup
HRClass: Introduction to Microtasking
Prerequisite: New Volunteer Orientation
Duration: 90 minutes
Overview This class provides an introduction to specific tools and techniques for crowd sourcing information using the micro-tasking platform for crisis mapping. Training includes instructions on filtering, categorization and geolocation of incidents on to a map.
Participating in Training: Students will need access to Skype and the Internet. How to enroll: Login to view training calendar and signup
HRClass: Solar Event Monitoring
Prerequisite: New Volunteer Orientation
Duration: 90 minutes
Overview This class provides an introduction and instruction on how to monitor an emerging solar event. This includes an explanation of geomagnetic storms, solar radiation storms and radio blackouts.
Participating in Training: Students will need access to Skype and the Internet. How to enroll: Login to view training calendar and signup
HRClass: Disaster Desk Earthquake and Sea Quake Monitoring
Prerequisite: New Volunteer Orientation
Duration: 90 minutes
Overview This class provides an introduction and instruction on how to monitor an emerging information about land based earthquake and sea based quake. This includes an explanation of magnitudes and official sources such as USGS, EMSC and JMA as well informal sources such as EQ Monitor.
Participating in Training: Students will need access to Skype and the Internet. How to enroll: Login to view training calendar and signup
Indepdendent study programs online:
FEMA Classes Recommended for USA Response Work
FEMA Class IS-700.a National Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction
FEMA Class IS-800.b National Response Framework, An Introduction
FEMA Class IS-100.b Introduction to Incident Command System, ICS-100
FEMA Class IS-42: Social Media in Emergency Management
FEMA Classes Recommended for Animals in Disaster Work
FEMA Class IS-10.A: Animals in Disasters: Awareness and Preparedness
FEMA Class IS-11.A: Animals in Disasters: Community Planning
FEMA Class IS-111.a Livestock in Disasters
Classes Recommended for Severe Weather Response
Skywarn: SkyWarn Training
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