Required Training for Volunteers
There are four required training courses for all CART volunteers, and a required Code of Conduct.* The training courses are:
- ESART Orientation (PDF)
- ESART Orientation Self-Exam and Certificate (PDF)
- ICS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS)
- IS-700: National Incident Management System (NIMS), an Introduction
- S-5.A: An Introduction to Hazardous Materials
*Please note that individual counties may require additional training.
Each course takes between 30 minute and 1 hour to complete. They are all free and available online, and don't require any previous experience.
ICS course requirements are designed to comply with the NIMS 5 Year Training Plan. Training requirements may be updated to stay in compliance as NIMS requirements change.
Once you've completed the CART required trainings, sign the Code of Conduct below and give it to your CART.
Optional Trainings for Volunteers
In addition to the training required courses, CART volunteers can also take advantage of other free training opportunities from FEMA found online.
- ICS-200: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
- IS-800: National Response Framework (NRF), an Introduction
Additionally, FEMA offers several other trainings for animal owners and care providers that will help CART volunteers be ready to assist during disasters. These include:
- IS-10: Animals in Disasters, Awareness and Preparedness
- IS-11: Animals in Disasters, Community Planning
- IS-111: Livestock in Disasters
There are also many other online training opportunities that CART volunteers should be aware of, including:
- Just-in-Time Training for Responders to Animal Health Emergencies, an online resource with supplemental information on job specific tasks that might be needed during a disaster response
- Introduction to Animal Emergency Management, a 10-part course to provide animal care workers with foundational information and skills to support USDA APHIS Animal Care's emergency planning and response roles
You can also participate in the Annual Empire State Animal Response Team Training.
Make sure you talk to your CART about other learning options. They can help connect you to many other interesting and useful training courses so you can be ready to assist animals when they are in need.
Training for County Managers
Check out our list of resources for animal owners, animal response organizations, and county managers to make sure that you know how best to operate your CART.