Naples American Red Cross Conducts Disaster Training Course

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Felicito Rustique, Navy Public Affairs Support Element-East Detachment Europe

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- The American Red Cross aboard Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples conducted a three-day, "Disaster Training" course at its Capodichino facility, May 10-12.

Sailors, Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) personnel and volunteers from the NSA Naples community attended the course.

An overview on the mission of the Red Cross, dealing with a mass casualty disaster and successfully setting up a shelter, were the focus points of the training.

Natural disasters such as fires, earthquakes, volcanoes, floods and hurricanes, or man-made disasters such as factory explosions and terrorist attacks were some course examples of what can create mass casualties and a need to provide shelter for displaced people.

"With this course, we wanted to inform the community of the types of emergencies out there and how they can help themselves and others in time when an emergency occurs," said Jacqueline Mack, the course instructor and director of operations for the Red Cross station here. "The class went well, and we had a lot of enthusiastic people show up eager to learn."

Engineman 2nd Class (SW/EXW) Miguel Huerta, NSA Naples Emergency Management Division (EMD), attended the course.

"This was a great opportunity, and it helped me realize that there are more resources available for dealing with a disaster here; not just us at the EMD," said Huerta. "Everybody should be prepared ahead of time. Have emergency disaster kits and self-documentation ready, and in the event that the NSA Naples community would have to seek shelter, the food court at the Navy Exchange is our safe-haven for everyone."

During the training, workbooks accompanied by video clips and lectures were combined with a simulated exercise where course participants had to split up into two teams to set up shelters.

"The books such as 'Mass Care Overview' and 'Mass Casualty Disasters' are excellent," said Lynn-Marie Smith-Martin, NSA Naples FFSC director. "They were very helpful and now I plan to use them to better prepare my staff and refine my operating procedures for disaster preparedness."

The Disaster Training course usually occurs three times a year. In preparation for an upcoming disaster preparedness exercise for NSA Naples this summer, Mack said the course will take place again June 7-9.

To sign up for the course, or for more information on the American Red Cross, visit the website at redcross.org.