This one week training program is designed to expose cadets to the chaos of disaster - a world turned up side down. Flooding, sinking, calamitous and catastrophic failures, the destruction of all things as we know it. What to do? Who to call? Which way is up? The possibility of these conditions can threaten us at almost any moment. Through careful study of the science of readiness and preparedness training, we can learn to become thoughtful, decisive, useful (if not pivotal) leaders in our homes, schools, and communities.
Training is focused on the waters of Narragansett Bay. Among the pleasure boats enjoying a day on the bay the Cadets will study the safety procedures and drills that give us the tools and knowledge to deal with every emergency. Cadets will be trained in the importance of dealing with emergency situations with a clear head and an appropriate response, in order to save lives and property, and also to minimize the risk to first responders and those providing assistance. Leadership, communication, teamwork, protective equipment, distress signaling, radio communication procedures and more become part of the toolkit for Cadets in training.
Types of marine incidents covered in the training include collisions at sea, oil spills, and groundings of a large vessels transiting the bay. Cadets are introduced to the cadre of first responders - the Homeland Security team that includes the U.S. Coast Guard and Auxiliary, local police and fire companies, harbor masters, environmental management patrol, the National Guard, and others. Cadets will become familiar with the preparedness and response network that is inextricably intertwined with all maritime activities in a marine coastal environment. No where else best exemplifies the complexity of this environment than Narrangansett Bay, Rhode Island - the Ocean State.
Land-based and near-shore training will focus on the pier and port environment, and will look at the hazards engendered by waterborne commerce. Nuclear, chemical and biological disasters, whether by terrorist acts, accidents, or even natural causes, all require a well thought out preparedness and response plan. Federal, state and local experts will lead the Cadet's education on this subject. Biohazard protection equipment, medical protocols, evacuation techniques and simulation exercises become part of the toolset in this phase of the training.
Training will be both provided by and have oversight from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials and Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) representatives, and will utilize materials and cirriculum from the National Disaster Training Institute. Correspondence and distance learning opportunities introduced in the training can lead to credentialing and certification when the Cadet returns to their home units and community.
The cost for Disaster Preparedness Summer Training is $75 per Cadet. Cadets may elect to participate in multiple weeks. Questions on the training can be emailed to training@riseacadets.net.
