Class Act

I love the feeling of accomplishment - when I take on a project that I have to start from scratch with no directions provided - other then 'do it' - and see it through from beginning to end.  And the end is a great success.

This is the case of my latest project.
I was asked at work to develop the curriculum for a "DRAT" team - then find team members, train them and thus have established teams for future deployment during a disaster.

What's a DRAT team you ask?  DRAT = "Disaster Rapid Assessment Team"   -  A group of people deployed out in the field to be the eyes and ears of the County - to give first-hand information regarding the needs of the community - triaging - the urgency so that the right things get to the right places in the right amount of time.

I was given this projectin April (with one other person assigned, who assisted in no way with the development or recruiting - only in the class) -  I was told it had to be 100% done before Dec. 1 in order to meet grant money deadlines.
 
THE TASK:
R&D: ... Research and development of curriculum and tools needed- based the training that would be necessary to safely deploy the team members into the field to do the task to the best of their ability.
RECRUITMENT:  ..... Recruit, interview and choose persons who would best fit the role of team members
PLANNING OF TRAINING: ...... Find the place, time and instructors to put together a class that would aid in readying team members for deployment.
TRAINING: ........ have a class
STRENGTHENING TEAMS: ........ Continue to keep members engaged, add additional members as needed and keep them all excited about being team members - with information, exercises, and classes.

Well - Friday (yesterday) was the debut class.   30 members were established after the recruitment and interviews and 24 were able to attend the class.  The class was also attended by Red Cross members and PHN leaders to understand what the County is doing.

The class was well-reviewed and much information was provided over a full-days training.  Everyone in the class was excited about all they had learned, all the tools and information they had received  and how well the class went.  
This is a great thing which aids in establishing further safety in the event of a disaster in my community.   Another addition to my legacy. 

The Class was truly a 'class act.'