Training
Salvation Army
Denver Emergency Disaster Services
The Denver Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) organization has
established several formal training programs or classes. The
Salvation
Army (TSA) national organization has also developed formal training
classes. Other institutions and organizations also offer
classes. The Salvation Army classes are generally offered once in
Denver or twice a year.
Our current training program covers the following areas:
Introducion to EDS, Driver training, Food Safety training, and Incident
Command System training.
Introduction
to the Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services - The
first four
hours are a national TSA class intended to give a TSA EDS overview; the
last couple of hours are focused on Denver operations and
practices. The national class is a prerequisite to be
deployed to disasters outside the Denver area. This is a
relatively wide-ranging class, to give new members an overview
of the Salvation Army, Emergency Disaster Services, and how we
work. This class was previously known as EDS101. It is
intended to be the basic introductory class for new EDS members.
This class may be taught by Michael Gelski or Lt. Gerald Koch.
Driver training - This is a
session of approximately 3 to 4 hours, generally taught by Michael
Gelski or Richard Ferguson. It includes a safety video and test,
a walk-through of the trucks, and hands-on experience with the vehicles.
Food Safety training.
There are two available classes related to food safety; we strongly
encourage all
EDS members to take at least one of these classes.
Excellence in Food Safety:
This is a class taught by the Health Department, generally the
Jefferson County Health department. It costs $5 and takes about
two hours. You will receive a food safety card good for two
years. This class is offered monthly at the Jefferson County
Health Department, 303 271-5765. EDS occasionally hosts this
class for our members.
Food Delivery and Handling:
This is a national TSA class. This is a prerequisite for being
deployed out of the Division. It is normally an eight hour class,
but an abbreviated four hour version is sometimes taught for those
being rapid deployed out of the division. We recommend that
regular EDS members take the eight hour version of the class.
Incident Command System
training. There are several available classes related to
the
Incident Command System (ICS); we strongly encourage
EDS drivers and leadership to take at least one of these classes.
Incident Command System is an
eight hour class developed by the national TSA, and explains how ICS
should be implemented in the case of the Salvation Army.
Note that it is important to keep in mind the distinction between the
overall "Incident Commander",
who is in charge of all agencies, and the "Salvation Army Incident
Commander" who is in charge of the Salvation Army response to the
incident.
Incident Command System
training is offered through FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management
Agency. FEMA offers on-line independent study classes that can be
completed at your convenience. Sometimes classroom instruction is
also available. ICS 100, ICS 200, and ICS 700 are the recommended
classes, with ICS 100 being the basic course. When you complete
the class
and
pass the exam, you will receive a certificate of completion.
These classes generally take two to three hours.
http://www.training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/crslist.asp
RAF 10/19/06