Please come and join the Noah's Wish Disaster Response Training for Animals!
Date: May 4, 5, & 6
Location: Saanich Agricultural Society
1528 Stellys Cross Road
Saanichton, BC V8M 1S8
Training Information:
General Information About the Training
This years training will be marked with three action packed days of new information! During training you can look forward to participating in hands on activities, gaining practical knowledge of animals in shelter situations, watching fascinating video footage, learning about cats, wildland fires, livestock, compassion fatigue, and much more!
Noah’s wish has put together an amazing team of over 17 presenters to lead sessions during the 2007 training season. This highly skilled team has collectively responded to over 100 disasters, and is comprised of Noah's Wish Staff and Coordinators with a wide background of knowledge and field experience. The team is looking forward to seeing returning and new Volunteers at training!
Each training is limited to 75 people so be sure to sign up early as spaces are expected to fill quickly. Once a training is full we will post it on the website and a waiting list for that location will be started.
►► IMPORTANT: ALL Volunteers arrive between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on Friday. This includes Volunteers who have already attended a Noah's Wish Volunteer In-Field Training.
►► The time schedule for the three days of training is listed below.
Starting times each day will be as follows:
1. Friday 10:00 a.m.
2. Saturday and Sunday 8:00 a.m.
Ending times each day will be as follows:
1. Friday and Saturday between 9:30 and 10:00 p.m.
2. Sunday 12:00 p.m. (approximate)
►► There are numerous breaks scheduled throughout the day in addition to plenty of time for meals, which is a great time to get to know other Volunteers in attendance as well as the Training Team. All meals are on site and the Volunteers bring their own food. A detailed list of what to wear to training and what to bring with you can be found on the Volunteer Training page.
►► Volunteers will be spending the night on Friday and Saturday. The training location will also be where we will be sleeping. Volunteers are expected to spend the night. If there is a medical reason why a person cannot stay, please contact Michelle at Michelle.Goya@NoahsWish.org.
►► Volunteers who arrive on Thursday will need to get a hotel. Noah's Wish has not made any arrangements for discounted rates at a hotel near the training site. No one will be spending the night at the training location Thursday night. For Volunteers flying or driving home on Monday, you will need to get a hotel for Sunday night too. If you would like to try and car pool to the training contact Michelle at Michelle.Goya@NoahsWish.org. We will make every effort to connect Volunteers coming from the same area.
►► The same itinerary is repeated in the different locations where training is offered each year.
►► IMPORTANT: In years past we have allowed volunteers to attend more than one training in a calendar year. This year we are not going to be able to do this because of the number of registrations we are receiving. We want to be sure that as many people as possible are able to attend at least one training this year.
►► You do not have to attend the training in your region. We do encourage Volunteers attending their first training try and go to the one in their region though.
Note For Returning Volunteers
We are doing something new this year for Volunteers who have already attended a Noah's Wish Volunteer In-Field Training. On Friday and Saturday night you have a choice to attend one of the following sessions:
1. Animal Handling
2. Search and Rescue
3. Volunteer Information
Each session is divided into two parts, the first being offered on Friday night and the second on Saturday night When you enroll please select on the registration form which session you would like to attend on Friday and Saturday night. Which ever session you sign up for you have to attend the same session both nights. For those who sign up for this session it will be a review of what you have learned in previous trainings, but often times Volunteers find it helpful to have the refresher.
Mitigation Through Education is an optional course for Returning Volunteers and will take place at the end of training on Sunday from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. This course helps prepare Volunteers to do community outreach and educational booths in their community. If you wish to attend this session please check the appropriate box on the registration form.
Note For New Volunteers
On Friday and Saturday night new Volunteers are required to attend the Volunteer Information session. Animal Handling and Search and Rescue are not sessions new Volunteers can sign up for at their first training. The Volunteer Information session is an introduction to Noah's Wish as well as helping Volunteers to become familiar with the policies, procedures, and forms used by Noah's Wish. There will also be discussion on mobilizing and what to bring to a disaster. During this session there will be a table top exercise that Volunteers find incredibly helpful as well as being a real eye opener.
Noah's Wish Volunteer In-Field Training 2007 Focus Sessions
►► Livestock Handling and Shelter Policies
Length 1.5 hour session
Take a comprehensive look at the livestock industry including animals, farmers, and ethics. Learn what motivates livestock and what frightens them. Also understand the policies and procedures within a Noah’s Wish shelter for caring for all types of animals.
►► Livestock Intake
Length 2 hour session
Understand and practice the livestock Intake procedures used when volunteering at a Noah’s Wish shelter. The Intake and Reclaim process for other types of animals will be discussed too. Included are steps for identifying animals as well as conflict resolution techniques for working with the public.
►► Understanding Cats
Length 1.5 hour session
Gain basic knowledge and skills necessary to understand and safely work with cats. Discuss handling requirements of domestic and feral cats.
►► Animal Rescue (selective course for Returning Volunteers only)
Length 4 hour session (divided over the course of Friday and Saturday evenings)
Take an in depth look at techniques, policies, and procedures involved in being on a Search and Rescue team. Become familiar with various levels of leadership, safety procedures, and common equipment. Maximum of 30 participants, please acknowledge your interest when enrolling.
►► Community Awareness and Navigational Skills
Length 1.5 hour session
Learn tips on how to easily mobilize to an area, and once there, live safely within the community. Included is such information on being aware of your surroundings, self awareness, decoding interstate numbering systems, and working with GPS units.
►► Animal Handling (selective course for Returning Volunteers only)
Length 4 hour session (divided over the course Friday and Saturday evenings)
Take an in depth look at techniques, policies and procedures involved in working with animals during a disaster. Discuss sheltering requirements, feeding, handling, and grooming needs for over 10 different species. Maximum of 30 participants, please acknowledge your interest when enrolling.
►► Your Hometown
Length 1 hour session
Have an opportunity to discuss what disaster threats are of greatest concern to the area you live in and how you can help prepare yourself and your community.
►► Volunteer Information Training (mandatory for all New Volunteers, selective course for Returning Volunteers)
Length 4 hour session (divided over the course of two evenings)
Understand the safety and logistical information essential to volunteering with Noah's Wish. Discuss mobilization, view video footage from past disasters, and participate in a disaster response activity. Maximum of 30 participants, please acknowledge your interest when enrolling.
►► Fire Safety and Understanding
Length 1 hour session
Gain a working understanding of wild land fires; including their threats, environmental needs, and methods of control. View footage of wildland fires and learn how to prepare and defend personal property against fires.
►► Compassion Fatigue
Length 1.5 hour session
Take a look at key emotional issues affecting people working in animal welfare and especially during disasters. Gain self evaluation tools, understand what creates emotional risks, and look at techniques to help people move forward.
►► Livestock Handling Practical
Length 2 hour session
Discover how to reduce stress while safely move livestock, learn how to recognize health concerns, and respond effectively to the animals needs.
►► Media and Communication
Length 1.5 hour session
Discuss various methods of communication and understand the importance of media during a disaster. Learn techniques to communicate clearly in difficult situations. View examples and practice techniques for effective interviewing.
►► Veterinary Concerns in a Shelter Situation
Length 2 hour session
Learn about common veterinary issues within animal shelters and gain an understanding of standard operating procedures within a temporary shelter. Zoonotic diseases will be discussed too.
►► Mitigation Through Education (optional course for Returning Volunteers)
Length 1 hour session
Learn how to share information on disaster preparedness in your community. Discuss effective techniques for reaching the public, and become familiar with the resources Noah's Wish has available for you to use. Please acknowledge your interest when enrolling.