HCCC - Training Opportunities

Training Opportunities

CERT Team Training (Below)
Hurricane Ike Volunteers:
On March 7, the Greater Houston Long Term Recovery Committee (GHLTRC) is launching our VOLUNTEER FIRST program—on the first Saturday of each month we will host a repair/rebuild workday blitz. The Greater Houston area still has extensive damage caused by Hurricane Ike and repair work is expected to be ongoing for at least the next year. The GHLTRC is looking for volunteers to help repair Ike-damaged homes for low-income families, seniors and disabled people. The first Saturday of each month:
- We will need 50-100 volunteers
- Projects will include roofing, sheetrock repair, and a variety of projects
- Work may include heavy lifting
- Supervision, training, tools and equipment will be provided
- Volunteers 15-18 years need to be accompanied by an adult
To volunteer, go to www.volunteerhouston.org and fill in the online Volunteer In-Take/Skill Sheet. Detailed information on the March 7, VOLUNTEER FIRST event day will be posted on our website soon. If you have any questions, please call the Volunteer Reception Center (VRC) at 713-964-0299 or email ikevolunteer@volunteerhouston.org.
On February 28, 2003, President Bush issued Homeland Security Presidential Directive-5. HSPD-5 directed the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and administer a National Incident Management System (NIMS). NIMS provides a consistent nationwide template to enable all government, private-sector, and nongovernmental organizations to work together during domestic incidents. NIMS training is currently available as a FEMA Independent Study Course (IS-700). To enroll in this course go to: FEMA Independent Study.
Incident Command training is being developed and offered for a variety of disciplines, including Federal Disaster Workers, Public Works, Law Enforcement, and Public Health. All of the ICS training offered through these courses is consistent. However, the various versions include examples and exercises specific to each of these disciplines. ICS 100, Introduction to the Incident Command System, introduces the Incident Command System (ICS) and provides the foundation for higher level ICS training. This course describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of the Incident Command System. It also explains the relationship between ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS). To enroll in this course go to: FEMA Independent Study.
Hurricane Preparedness Planning for Businesses (Acrobat pdf document)
The Baytown Citizen Police Academy - is a unique learning experience conducted by the Baytown Police Department. It is designed to give citizens a better understanding of the operation and mission of their local Police Department. Each class covers a different topic; areas include patrol, criminal investigations, crime prevention, and traffic enforcement, use of force, narcotics, communications, and gangs among other topics. Classes meet each Thursday evening from 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm. If you are interested please contact Stewart Beasley at 281-420-6662 or stewart.beasley@baytown.org.
The Greater Houston Area Red Cross offers training and volunteer opportunities for all ages. Whether you want to become a trained American Red Cross volunteer, acquire skills for a new job, or enhance your current skills, you can depend on Red Cross to offer quality and consistant training. All courses require preregistration, and space is limited. Classes are held throughout our 18-county area. Course Schedule.
A new online presentation is now available at www.redcross.org/beredcrossready to help prepare individuals for emergencies at home, at work and in their communities. The presentation includes sound narration throughout, as well as streaming video of key first aid skills, including conscious choking and CPR. Visitors to the site can also download an emergency preparedness kit shopping list and key steps in making an emergency plan.
First Aid CPR certification (approximately 9 hours) is being offered by the Red Cross.
Please contact the Red Cross for the next available class.
Individual Preparedness & Response: A Quick Guide. (Acrobat pdf document)
The SAFE KIDS Greater Houston Child Safety Seat Inspection Stations are located throughout the county, make an appointment today. (Acrobat pdf document)
Bellaire Fire Department Citizens Fire Academy - The academy provides an opportunity for you to become familiar with the operations of the fire department. The academy is a total of eleven weeks and is held on every Wednesday evening from 7:00pm to 9:00pm with three classes held on Saturday. If you are interested please contact the station at 713-662-8202 or you can e-mail the coordinator at dtittel@ci.bellaire.tx.us.
Jersey Village Police Department Citizens Police Academy - The academy provides an opportunity for you to become familiar with the operations of the police department. The academy is a total of eleven weeks and is held on every Tuesday evening from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. If you are interested please contact Joyce Undershill at 713-446-2100.
RSVP, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, is reaching out across Harris County to help children improve their reading skills. Through consistent and caring interactions with senior mentors, children’s self-esteem, attitude towards learning, and skills improve. RSVP, in partnership with Junior Achievement, Aspiring Youths, Houston ISD, Humble ISD, Spring Branch ISD, and Pasadena ISD (HOST program), is seeking senior volunteers to work with children during or after school. If you’re “young at heart” and want to see children succeed, thirty minutes of your time, once a week, is all it takes! -- The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program matches the skills and desires of senior volunteers, age 55 yrs. or better, with critical community needs. Contact Barbara Melnik, RSVP Program Coordinator, for information about RSVP’s “Young at Heart” tutor program or to learn more about the wide variety of volunteer opportunities available through RSVP at 713-729-3200, ext. 3227 or at bmelnik@jcchouston.org.
Volunteers Needed: To give tours at Houston TranStar. If you are interested in providing tours at Houston TranStar please contact Dinah Massie Martinez, Public Information Officer, at 713.881.3244.
The Texas Center for the Missing offers a Missing Child Awareness, Prevention and Education Program which is designed to raise awareness about the social issues surrounding missing children. Parents, concerned citizens and child service providers will be taught how to minimize the risk that children will be lost or abducted; abduction prevention techniques are discussed, as well as what to do if a child is abducted; and a parent’s role in prevention and search efforts. To learn more please contact Melissa A. Hulin at 713-314-3673 or mhulin@tcftm.org.
The Harris County Public Library’s adult literacy program needs literacy tutor volunteers, who assist adults in reading at a grade 0-5 reading level, as well as volunteer English as a second language tutors (who assist adults new to the United States) at many Harris County Public Library branches. Training and materials are provided for new volunteers at no charge. More information is available at www.hcpl.net/literacy/literacy.htm. If you are interested you have other questions about the library’s adult literacy programs, please contact Steve Zack at 713-749-9035 or by e-mail at szach@hcpl.net.
Surviving Fire - Test your survival skills in a virtual town filled with different types of houses.
Houston Sail and Power Squadron offers three types of public courses:
1. BoatSmart - a one day overview of boating safety
2. Seminars - a series of two hour discussions on particular boating topics
3. Squadron Boating Course - a four week course (meets once per week)
- The Squadron offers to the general public a variety of boating courses including boat safety. “BoatSmart” covers seamanship, required equipment, regulations and rules of the road, emergency procedures and much more. It covers just about everything you need to get started, and is a great refresher for the more experienced boater. For more information http://www.uspshouston.org/education/publicourses.htm
- There is also a course available for home study. The on-line America's Boating Course (ABC), a joint effort between USPS and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, includes an interactive computer CD-ROM that serves as a "virtual" instructor with audio and video clips.

CERT Team Training is being scheduled at the following locations:

Houston Community College - Alief Continuing Education Center CERT Training will be held at Houston Community College - Alief Continuing Education Center, 13803 Bissonnet, Houston, TX 77083. Classes will be held on Wednesdays from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. beginning July 29 and ending September 16, 2009. The training is free and open to the public. To register or for further information, please contact Mardie Menke, Harris County CERT Coordinator, at Mardie.Menke@oem.hctx.net or 281-436-8163 or Marni Rosen, City of Houston CERT Coordinator, at Marni.Rosen@cityofhouston.net or 832-393-0920.
Houston Community College - Administration Building CERT Training will be held at Houston Community College - Administration (Systems) Building, 3100 Main, Houston TX 77002. Classes will be held on Wednesdays from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. beginning September 23, and ending November 11, 2009. The training is free and open to the public. To register or for further information, please contact Mardie Menke, Harris County CERT Coordinator, at Mardie.Menke@oem.hctx.net or 281-436-8163 or Marni Rosen, City of Houston CERT Coordinator, at Marni.Rosen@cityofhouston.net or 832-393-0920.
G.R.A.C.E. Community Services CERT Training will be held at the Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, 6719 W. Montgomery Rd., Houston, TX 77091. Classes will be held on Tuesdays from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. beginning June 9 and ending July 28, 2009. The training is free and open to the public. To register or for further information, please contact Marva Lawrence at mlawrence@gracecommunityservices.org or 713-839-9300.
Houston Community College - Coleman Campus CERT Training will be held at Houston Community College, 1900 Pressier St, Houston, TX 77030 (Medical Center Area). Classes will be held on Tuesdays from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. beginning May 19th and ending July 7, 2009. The training is free and open to the public. To register or for further information, please contact Mardie Menke, Harris County CERT Coordinator, at Mardie.Menke@oem.hctx.net or 281-436-8163 or Marni Rosen, City of Houston CERT Coordinator, at Marni.Rosen@cityofhouston.net or 832-393-0920.
Houston Community College -NE Northline Campus (Spanish language) CERT Training will be held at Houston Community College, 8001 Fulton, Houston, TX 77022. Classes will be held on Thursdays from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. beginning May 21, 2009 and ending July 9, 2009. The training is free and open to the public. To register or for further information, please contact Mardie Menke, Harris County CERT Coordinator, at Mardie.Menke@oem.hctx.net or 281-436-8163 or Marni Rosen, City of Houston CERT Coordinator, at Marni.Rosen@cityofhouston.net or 832-393-0920.
Woodlands CERT training will be held at the Woodlands Training Center,16135 IH 45 South The Woodlands, Texas. Classes will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., starting May 12, 2009 and ending June 30, 2009. To register contact Rachel Andrews at randrews@catw-tx.org or 281-367-3444 ext. 102.
Lone Star College – New Caney training will be held at the EMCID Building, 21575 Hwy 59 North New Caney, Texas. Classes will be held on Monday mornings from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., starting January 4, 2010 and ending January 22, 2010. To register contact Jessica Williams at Jessica.Williams@mctx.org or 936-582-3103.
Tomball CERT and surrounding Areas Team training will be held at Tomball Fire Dept., Main Station, 1200 Rudel Dr., Tomball, TX 77375. Classes will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m., June 2, 2009 and ending July 21, 2009. The training is open to the community and surrounding areas. To register contact Lisa Griffin at 281-351-7101.
First Methodist Houston Church CERT Training will be held at First Methodist Houston Church, Westchase Campus, 10570 Westpark, Houston, TX, 77042, beginning May 9 and ending July 11 (no class May 30 or July 4). Classes will be held on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. The training is open to the public. For registration and further information contact Kim James at kjames@fmhouston.com or 832-668-1819.
In-CERT schedules classes regularly at the S.H.A.P.E. Community Center located at 3815 Live Oak, Houston, Texas 77004. For information regarding classes at this location, contact Shandenia Gay, sgay@in-cert.com, cell - 713.294.7331 or Khallid Greene, morpheous@gmail.com, cell - 832.245.7642.