The following courses are designed for Red Cross volunteers who would like to be disaster responders. All classes require that you be registered as a Red Cross volunteer. Classes are open to volunteers from any American Red Cross Chapter.

Pre-registration is required. If no one is pre-registered for a class two days prior to the class scheduled date, the class may be cancelled. To pre-register for a class, click on "Take A Class" on the left side of the screen and then select "Disaster Services" under the "Browse" heading and navigate to the class you are interested in.  If you have any questions, please email Charlie Maltbie at maltbiec@redcrossnnj.org.

To take a class you must have completed all pre-requisites listed for the class. These classes can be taken at any American Red Cross Chapter.

Fulfilling Our Mission: Translating Your Compassion into Community Action

This course will show individual volunteers how their actions through the ARC can change their communities and provide information to other community groups on ARC work and possible partnerships in preparation for and response to disasters.

Prerequisite: None

Mass Care Overview

This class will cover the main aspects of a Mass Care response. It will give an idea of what types of activities might be encountered, and where volunteers can fit in.

Prerequisites: Fulfilling Our Mission

Shelter Operations

This class will cover the basics of working within a shelter, from opening to closing a facility. Topics include worker responsibilities, forms, dormitory management, and concluding operations. This class will prepare you to work as part of a shelter team.

Prerequisite: Fulfilling Our Mission, Mass Care Overview

Shelter Simulation

Take all the knowledge gained in the Shelter Operations class and put it to good use! This simulation will pick up where the previous class left off, challenging you with real world problems in sheltering.

Prerequisites: Mass Care Overview, Shelter Operations

Client Casework: Providing Emergency Assistance

This is the basic class for anyone interested in working with disaster clients during the interview process. You will be prepared to work in the Individual Client Services group in an individual interview set-up.

Prerequisite: Fulfilling Our Mission

Psychological First Aid

This course is designed to prepare all American Red Cross workers to provide basic care, comfort and support to people who are experiencing disaster-related stress.  It provides a framework for understanding the factors that affect stress responses in disaster relief workers and the clients they serve.  In addition, it provides practical suggestions about what you can say and do as you practice the principles of Psychological First Aid. 

Prerequisites:  Introduction to Disaster Services; Fulfilling Our Mission