Shelter Operations ES Qualification

[heliodoc]

chiles

you too, perfect

Now,  it has to be laid upon the CAP 'leadership" at the Wing and Natl level......

[chiles]

Probably too close to the next Board meeting, but I'd be happy to put it together and run it up MDWG's flagpole.

[lordmonar]

The things jimmydeanno just put up are "somewhat similar" to the checkoff sytem in a taskbokk that wildland fire uses.  Good system but to get things signed off in a disaster could take a while.

I was just outlining what the ARC has each of those positions do and it each of the ARC corresponding courses cover those items.  Each is a day long.

So I guess if I were to create a CAP SQTR for Shelter Operations it would be

PREREQs
General Emergency Services
IS-100
IS-700

ADVANCED TRAINING
ARC Shelter Operations Course
ARC Shelter Management Course
ARC Psychological First Aid Course

Done

Why not break those up into two specalties?

Not everyone needs to be a shelter mangager....just as not everyone needs to be a GTL.

So how about

Shelter Technician--GES+ICS 100+ARC Shelter Operationt
Shelter Manager--ST+ICS 700/800+ARC Shelter Management

[chiles]

I think that's reasonable. Obviously, we are assuming that the ARC has no problem with us being in charge of one of their shelters and CAP NHQ doesn't have a problem with our people being responsible for ARC personnel and materials.

[jimmydeanno]

^The ARC calls upon volunteer shelter managers who have taken their shelter management course to open, run and close the shelter.  If a CAP member has the ARC credentials to run an ARC shelter the ARC would use them.

During the ice storm we had in December 2008, I was called by the local ARC chapter and asked if I was available to help with shelter management and staffing (Since they keep a list of people who take their courses).  Basically, put on call.  The need didn't arise because they had plenty of help.

Many towns also run their own shelters which are operated by the local EMA, Fire Department, etc.  I'm sure that they'd be willing to accept our help.

So I think the better question is how to we get ourselves put in the local emergency action plans, etc.  I think that is where we are really hurting.

[lordmonar]

That's where you local squadron ES officer gets with wing/group ES and the local authorities to get an MOU in place.

It usaually only takes a phone call.

Just make sure that you got the CAP support befor you go promising support to local agencies.

[chiles]

Totally agree. We really need to do a better job advertising our services to local and state EMA's. I think the starting point would be having individual units (or groups) contact their local EMA's and Wings contact the State EMA's. Bring a quick executive summary on our capabilities and show how we are already helping them, especially if a large proportion of our members are cross trained to work in shelters. Good starting point and not a one shot deal. We'll have to follow up due to the intrinsic change in staffing at EMA's due to elections, promotions, retirements, burn out, etc.

[RiverAux]

Is the ARC still requiring a Mass Care course before you take the shelter course.

As I said before, we cannot just use the ARC courses since ARC coverage is weak in many, many places.  They can be an option to completing CAP specific shelter tasks, but cannot be the only method allowed.

If we require the ARC courses only CAP members in areas that already have a strong ARC presence will be able to get qualified in this specialty, and that is exactly the area where we would be needed the least.  CAP can be of most help in areas without ARC. 

And keep in mind that ARC is no more going to be the official lead as far as government disaster response in regards to shelter operations than CAP is likely to be.  They too are a non-governmental organization.  We would still be working at the request of local or state governments, so we don't need to be entirely centered around ARC needs and procedures.  They obviously know a lot about it, which is why I suggested adapting their training where feasible for our use. 

[chiles]

I'm completely down with stealing their training and making it our own. It's a common practice in emergency management:) I'd be happy to help but I'm not really sure, other than sending it up the chain, where we'd go from here. It's a good idea and I think well worth the time but I don't want to dedicate a large amount of my life (or anyone elses for that matter) to something that'll be largerly ignored. Where do we go from here?

[lordmonar]

Getting ARC training is just a matter of asking for it.

Even out in the back-beyond.  If you call the state office they can arrange to have a trainer come to you.  In fact if support is so sketchy they would be more then happy to train some on as an instructor.

[arajca]

I'm completely down with stealing their training and making it our own. It's a common practice in emergency management:) I'd be happy to help but I'm not really sure, other than sending it up the chain, where we'd go from here. It's a good idea and I think well worth the time but I don't want to dedicate a large amount of my life (or anyone elses for that matter) to something that'll be largerly ignored. Where do we go from here?

Write up a good proposal and get with your wing Operations and Disaster Relief Directors/Officers. Once you have their buy in (preferably in writing), submit it to your wing commander. It'll take time, but if you just fire it off, it will fall flat. I don't think it'll take a large amount of time, though.

[chiles]

I didn't mean the proposal would take time. I meant converting all the ARC stuff into a standardized CAP program. I'll put the proposal together, though. Seems like a no brainer to me.

[fireplug]

Is the ARC still requiring a Mass Care course before you take the shelter course.

As I said before, we cannot just use the ARC courses since ARC coverage is weak in many, many places.  They can be an option to completing CAP specific shelter tasks, but cannot be the only method allowed.

If we require the ARC courses only CAP members in areas that already have a strong ARC presence will be able to get qualified in this specialty, and that is exactly the area where we would be needed the least.  CAP can be of most help in areas without ARC. 

And keep in mind that ARC is no more going to be the official lead as far as government disaster response in regards to shelter operations than CAP is likely to be.  They too are a non-governmental organization.  We would still be working at the request of local or state governments, so we don't need to be entirely centered around ARC needs and procedures.  They obviously know a lot about it, which is why I suggested adapting their training where feasible for our use. 

As my old Irish sergeant used to say: "Everything is situational".
I am a former Red Cross Disaster Specialist, now a volunteer, as well as as a Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Service Volunteer. Back some years ago in CA, we had an MOU with the State to provide support to the Red Cross and the SA, if asked and tasked by the state. In order to get that tasking, I encouraged the unit ES officers to contact their local chapters for training.
With the demise of many small, local, ARC chapters, training is hard to come by. However, most states have state specialists that MIGHT, if enough interest was shown, come to you and run the Shelter Ops classes. Also depends on where you are whether or not they'll require Mass Care as well.
The Salvation Army also has a disaster syllabus. Not all SA Corps Officers are involved in EDS equally. However, like the Red Cross, there is a paid professional EDS Coordinator at each Army Divisional HQ. May also be a source of training.
My $0.02.

Ed Ryan
Peoria, AZ

[RiverAux]

Okay, I just don't think we were getting a good view on the reasons for the no votes which I think would really impact the results, so I re-did the poll and reset it to 0. 

[Eclipse]

I like the idea of the CAP model w/ ARC as a sub.  That gets us in the door either way.

The CAP classes should be approved derivitives of the ARC & SA so that we can integrate w/o any issues.