The American Red Cross of Portage County will hold two disaster-training courses on Tuesdays, Sept. 28 and Oct. 5, to assist the community in disaster readiness.
The First Assembly of God Church, 700 Hoover Road, Plover, will host both courses, which have a prerequisite course called "Intro to Disaster Services." Persons who have not taken this course but are interested in the upcoming classes should call the local Red Cross office. The intro course can be taken as a home study course with a video and workbook.
On Sept. 28 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. the "Mass Care an Overview" course will give volunteers a flavor for what it takes to respond to larger disasters. The course provides a better understanding of shelter operations, mass feeding and other aspects of large-scale responses. This course is vital for people who are interested in local, state and national disaster response.
On Oct. 5 from 6 to 9:30 p.m., the "Shelter Operations" course is designed to prepare volunteers to effectively staff and manage a shelter operation as a team. Volunteers will learn how to provide for the emergency needs of people displaced as a result of a disaster. This course goes into greater detail than "Mass Care an Overview" and will assist in planning and preparing for future sheltering operations.
Courses are free to the public but preregistration is required. For more information or to register for one or both of the courses please contact the Red Cross at 3057 Michigan Ave. by calling 344-4052 or 800-939-4052.