Ana Araujo – February 16, 2021
WIFSS Has What You Need!
The Rural Domestic Preparedness (RDPC) and the Western Institute for Food Safety and Security (WIFSS) have partnered to develop a set of training classes for emergency responders and managers in rural communities. Thanks to a special grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to RDPC, costless delivery of these training courses has been made possible. Additionally, the courses have also been modified to be internet-based and are now being scheduled.
Requesting a course is fairly simple! If you would like to have these training classes taught in your region for FREE, please visit the RDPC website and fill out a request form(s) accordingly. Please note funding for training deliveries is limited, so you are highly encouraged to submit a request form at your earliest convenience.
Similarly, if you are involved with providing training for your agency or jurisdiction, and these courses are not being offered near you, you may submit a request for training in your area. For more information on how you can request to host a course in your area, visit the RDPC website.
What are the Training Classes About?
The AWR 328 course is DHS-Certified and awareness-leveled. It is designed to equip participants with valuable tools assisting in the protection, responsivity, and recovery from the consequences of disasters involving animals in rural communities. When animals are involved in catastrophic events, such as fires, floods, heat, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, hazardous material and devastating disease exposure, critical issues emerge and must be addressed. This course will present considerable approaches to these types of emergencies, introducing topics such as safe animal handling, animal evacuation, animal sheltering, humane euthanasia, and carcass disposal; inclusion of animal management into existing ICS structures, federal support available during recovery, and unique considerations for conducting jurisdictional assessments and mapping evacuation routes. This training class is for:
- Livestock Producers
- Emergency Managers
- Veterinarians
- Extension Agents
- Veterinary Technicians
- Public & Human Health Personnel
- Rural Community Leaders
- Fire & Law Enforcement
In collaboration, the MGT 448 course is management-leveled. It will provide emergency planners and other essential community members with the background information needed in the development of supplemental animal, agricultural, and food (AAF) related disaster response plans, which may be incorporated within existing Emergency Operation Plans (EOP) for an operational area (OA). The course will engage participants in topics such as the unique challenges rural communities encounter in planning for and responding to AAS related disasters; the utilization of Emergency Support Functions (ESF); recovery and the importance of sustainable operations during a disaster event; and mapping a community to identify areas of vulnerability and resources. This training class is for:
- Animal Emergency Services
- Agricultural Safety
- Emergency Managers & Planners
- Law Enforcement
- Public Health
- Private/ Corporate Security & Safety
- State, Local, and Tribal Government Administrators
- Veterinarians
You can attend any course that is has already been scheduled. To register, please visit the RDPC website and select the corresponding course from the training schedule. Click on the registration link above the course description and complete the prompted registration form. Be mindful of the time zones where courses have been scheduled and select one that will best work for you.
Take-Home Message
If you are looking for FREE DHS-Certified training in rural communities, no need to keep searching. Just visit the RDPC website and fill out a short request form(s) . Remember, funding for training delivery is limited, so act FAST and REQUEST a course(s) TODAY!