The Oregon Pacific Chapter of the American Red Cross will sponsor a series of courses to train people in Coos and Curry counties as Red Cross disaster-relief volunteers.

Pre-registration is required 48 hours in advance to take part in the classes, which are free.

€ "Introduction to Disaster Services" provides basic information about disasters and their effects, outlines the role of governmental and private agencies in disaster relief and introduces participants to Red Cross disaster services. This course is a prerequisite for all other disaster volunteer classes.

The course will be taught from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 14, in Bandon at a site to be determined; and from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 12, at the Southwestern Oregon Community College building at 420 Alder St. in Brookings.

€ "Damage Assessment 1" prepares paid and volunteer Red Cross staff members to be damage assessment workers, obtaining and reporting information and providing operational support.

The class will be offered from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 19 in Brookings and again from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 8 in Coos Bay.

€ "Family Services: Providing Emergency Assistance" teaches the skills needed to conduct quality interviews, complete forms, provide referrals and meet the needs of disaster victims. This course will be taught from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 17 in Bandon at a site to be determined.

€ "Mass Care: An Overview" provides basic information about mass-care activities. Participants will learn about the skills needed by mass-care workers and how they can get started in their local chapters.

The class will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19 in Bandon at a site to be determined; 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 21 in Coos Bay; and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 13 in Brookings.

€ "Shelter Operations" teaches participants how to effectively and sensitively manage shelter operations as a team to meet the needs of those displaced by a disaster. Students will be able to demonstrate shelter opening, operating and closing procedures; work as a team to provide shelter services to clients; and address common shelter problems effectively. Prerequisites for this course include Introduction to Disaster Services and Mass Care: An Overview.

The course will be offered from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 6 in Coos Bay; 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 13 in Bandon at a site to be determined; and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 24 in Brookings.

€ "Shelter Simulations" will give participants the knowledge and skills to run a successful shelter operation. Prerequisites include Introduction to Disaster Services, Mass Care: An Overview and Shelter Operations.

Classes are available from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 6 in Coos Bay; 1 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 13 in Bandon at a site to be determined; and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 24 in Brookings.

To register for a Red Cross class or for information, those interested can call the South Coast District Office at 267-9595 or toll-free at (800) 738-8700.