Would you like to give something back to your community? Do you want to help others in times of emergency? The American Red Cross in Nassau County (ARC/Nassau) located at 195 Willis Avenue in Mineola, is seeking new volunteers for its Disaster Action Teams and Shelter Teams. ARC/Nassau needs additional volunteers to deliver critical disaster-relief services and house residents during times of emergency. To volunteer and receive free training, call (516) 747-3500 ext. 242 or e-mail plavinc@usa.redcross.org. Training courses are taught at ARC/Nassau, 195 Willis Avenue, Mineola, NY. The following training schedule is through December 2006:

Shelter Operations

The purpose of this course is to prepare you to effectively and sensitively manage shelter operations as a team, and to meet the needs of people displaced as a result of a disaster.

Thurs., Sept. 7 - 6:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Tue., Dec. 5 - 6:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Shelter Simulation

Shelter simulation will give you the opportunity to put your skills into practice.

Wed., Dec. 6 - 6:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Client Casework Training

The purpose of this course is to enable staff to meet the emergency needs of disaster victims following a disaster in a chapter setting. The course is designed to help the participants develop the interviewing skills, knowledge, attitudes, and relationships necessary to meet the disaster-caused emergency needs of individuals and families.

Tue., Sep. 26 - 6:00 p.m. -9:30 p.m.

Tue., Nov. 28 - 6:00 p.m. -9:30 p.m.

Weapons of Mass Destruction. The purpose of this course is to provide basic information about the issues and safety concerns in performing our work in an environment involving a Weapons of Mass Destruction and or Terrorism (WMD/T) incident.

Wed., Sept. 20 - 6:00 p.m. -9:30 p.m.

Public Affairs in Disaster. The purpose of this course is to assist Red Cross paid and volunteer staff in working with the Public Affairs function on a local disaster relief operation and to initiate the Public Affairs function on a State or Major disaster relief operation.

Mon. & Wed., Oct. 16 & 18 - 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

ERV Ready Set Roll Course. The purpose of this course is to prepare drivers to safely and effectively use an Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) and its equipment to meet the feeding and other services needs of the people affected by disaster.Requirements: Over 21 years of age, Valid NYS driver's license, Satisfactory NY Dept motor vehicle report & current defensive driving course, First Aid & CPR Certification and a road test post course. Chapter can assist with these additional trainings, please call the office (516) 747-3500 ext. 235.

Sat., Sept. 16 - 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Mass Casualty in Disaster

The purpose of this course is to prepare participants to provide a more effective initial response to a mass casualty disaster. Tabletop exercise is conducted and lunch will be served.

Sat., Sept. 30 - 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Disaster Assessment Workshop

The purpose of this interim training course is to provide an overview of the new and revised concepts, procedures, tools and resources contained in the recently released Disaster Assessment document. This workshop will enable Red Cross workers to begin to incorporate these concepts into planning, training and response activities.

Wed., Oct. 4 - 6:00 p.m. -9:30 p.m.

The Red Cross needs you to join our volunteers to prepare and respond to disaster in our community. In the midst of hurricane season, we all are aware that there is work to be done. JOIN US and become a Red Cross volunteer. Pre-registration is required is required for all courses.

ARC/Nassau is a not-for-profit humanitarian service organization that is not a government agency and relies on the generous donations of others. ARC/Nassau provides emergency assistance to victims of disasters, such as fires, hurricanes, winter storms, floods and man-made disasters; safety-related courses, including CPR, First Aid and Aquatics; Holocaust and war victims tracing; and service to military families, such as emergency communication, financial assistance, counseling and leave requests. To make a financial contribution, take a safety course, volunteer or request more information, call (516) 747-3500 or visit www.NassauRedCross.org. ARC/Nassau is located at 195 Willis Avenue, Mineola, NY 11501.