Description 

Fundamentals of Disaster Assessment (DSIMS200B) is a blended learning course consisting of two components, online (DSIMS200C) and instructor-led (DSIMS200A). Successful completion of both course components is required to receive a certificate of course completion. The online training component of the course (Part 1) resides on the Red Cross Learning Management System (LMS). It provides an overview of the Disaster Assessment activity and its related tasks. The instructor-led component of the course (Part 2) will reinforce and build upon content presented in the online component while providing participants with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and develop skills in Disaster Assessment through applied learning activities. 

Purpose 

The purpose of this basic level Disaster Services course is to introduce the critical role of Disaster Assessment, explore related preparedness tasks, learn how to collect and communicate disaster assessment information, and become familiar with how disaster assessment information supports management and service delivery decisions. 

Learning Objectives

 As a result of this training, participants will be able to— 

• Identify the benefits and criticality of providing disaster assessment information during the early stages of disaster response.
• Identify, collect and communicate disaster assessment information that enables the work of Disaster Services Human Resources (DSHR) groups and activities.
• Apply concepts of the information process that support management and service delivery decisions.
•  Identify damage classifications by dwelling type.
• Determine the method of data collection based on size and scope of the disaster
• Identify strategies and resources to ensure collection of accurate disaster assessment information.
• Define actions that can be undertaken during readiness that will enable a chapter to conduct timely, effective and efficient disaster assessments.
• Explain the importance of identifying and developing relationships with external resources before a disaster occurs and reasons to activate connections to those resources following a disaster.
• Identify and demonstrate the characteristics of an effective Disaster Assessment worker that maximize the results Disaster Assessment generates for its customers. 

Audience 

Participants will be any Red Cross employee or volunteer who works in disaster response including, but not limited to, Disaster Assessment workers, chapter leadership and disaster relief operation administrators. Participants will be expected to: 

• Apply concepts learned from Fundamentals of Disaster Assessment, Part 1 (online component) in Fundamentals of Disaster Assessment, Part 2 (instructor-led component). Therefore, participants should either complete Part 1 close to the time Part 2 is offered at the chapter or, if a significant amount of time has elapsed, review Part 1 online before registering for Part 2.
• Complete the “Challenge Me Exercise” from Module 4 of Part 1 and bring their assignment with them to Part 2. 

Prerequisites 

• Fulfilling Our Mission: Translating Your Compassion Into Community Action (DSGEN200A, Rev. 09/07) 

Length 

Fundamentals of Disaster Assessment Part 1 (online component) is comprised of six self-paced learning modules. It is estimated that it takes approximately 3.5 hours to complete all six modules.  Fundamentals of Disaster Assessment Part 2 (instructor-led component) is four hours in length.