When Disaster Strikes
Natural disasters such as severe storms, earthquakes, tornadoes, fires, hurricanes, and floods can cause severe property damage and cripple affected communities.
If your community is struck, are you ready?
All too often after a disaster, an affected community is left on its own to struggle with evaluating its damage and determining whether structures can be re-inhabited. When evaluations are not conducted quickly, a community’s residents will reoccupy potentially unsafe structures. The WDS Institute guides participants through disaster scenarios, reviews documentation requirements, and encourages discussion and experience sharing. Upon completion of the Institute, participants can be relied on to assist with performing post-disaster building safety evaluations. Each participant will be provided with all necessary reference materials.
When Disaster Strikes Institute
The International Code Council's When Disaster Strikes Institute prepares attendees to properly evaluate damage through instruction, interactive activities, and review of case studies. Participants will learn about the role of the code official in the wake of a disaster, techniques on how to operate within disaster environments, and how to perform and/or coordinate Post-disaster Building Safety Evaluations. This Institute also provides a means of maintaining your When Disaster Strikes certification.
FEMA identifies When Disaster Strikes training within the National Incident Management System’s (NIMS) Post-Disaster Building Safety Evaluator typing document among the required training for all three levels of evaluators.
The WDS Institute consists of three different training programs.
The goals of the WDS Institute are to increase the number of trained and qualified Post-Disaster Building Safety Evaluators and Post-Disaster Building Safety Evaluation Coordinators and to increase awareness regarding when and how to perform Post-Disaster Building Safety Evaluations.
Training Programs
When Disaster Strikes – Evaluator training
The WDS Evaluator training instructs qualified individuals on how to perform Post-Disaster Building Safety Evaluations. This 7-hour training program is required training for all three levels of evaluators and is offered in-person, virtually, and in a self-paced delivery format. This training:
- Introduces the role of the Post-Disaster Building Safety Evaluator
- Teaches participants how to perform building safety evaluations
- Increases awareness of operational environments and hazards
- Introduces training and credentialing requirements
- Provides participants with the opportunity to perform virtual ATC 20/45 Rapid Assessments
Individuals who register for the WDS Evaluator program will receive these publications:
- WDS Field Manual 1419S
- ATC 45
- ATC 20
Additionally, it is recommended that all participants download a copy of FEMA's P-2055, available at no cost here.
When Disaster Strikes – Coordinator training
The WDS Coordinator training extends the Evaluator training by instructing qualified individuals on how to coordinate Post-Disaster Building Safety Evaluations and assist municipalities and building officials with post-disaster response and recovery efforts. This 3-hour training program is recommended training for Level I Post-Disaster Building Safety Evaluators and is offered in-person or virtually. This training:
- Identifies and outlines the possible roles of the building official in post-disaster environments
- Introduces the role of the Post-Disaster Building Safety Evaluation Coordinator
- Introduces the training and credentialing requirements for Post-Disaster Building Safety Evaluators
- Increases awareness of operational environments and hazards
- Provides practice examples on directing and evaluating ATC 20/45 Rapid Assessments
Individuals who register for the WDS Coordinator training will receive the publication:
- WDS Field Manual 1419S
Additionally, it is recommended that all participants download a copy of FEMA's P-2055, available at no cost here.
When Disaster Strikes – Refresher training
The WDS Refresher program extends the Evaluator training by refreshing previously trained individuals on how to perform Post-Disaster Building Safety Evaluations. This 3-hour training program is required training every three years for maintaining a Post-Disaster Building Safety Evaluator certification and is offered in-person or virtually. This training:
- Reviews the role of the Post-Disaster Building Safety Evaluator
- Reviews how to perform building safety evaluations
- Reviews awareness of operational environments and hazards
- Provides participants with the opportunity to perform virtual ATC 20/45 Rapid Assessments
2024 WDS Institute Opportunities
Virtual Delivery Options
When Disaster Strikes - Evaluator Training
- June 18, 2024, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm CST
- August 13, 2024, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm CST
- October 20, 2024, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm CST
- December 10, 2024, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm CST
In-Person Delivery Options
Certification Program
Disaster Response Certificate of Learning Achievement
Individuals who have completed the WDS Evaluator training are eligible to take the Disaster Response Credential of Learning Achievement (CLA). The Code Council's CLAs validate participants' willingness to go the extra mile in training and career advancement. The Disaster Response CLA represents proof of completing a FEMA-recognized Post-Disaster Building Safety Evaluator training program and passing an assessment.
In addition to completing the Post-Disaster Building Safety Evaluator training, to be considered NIMS compliant, all required licenses and/or certifications must be in active status at the time of deployment. Additional prerequisites include the following certifications: IC100, IC200, IC700 and IC800.
The Disaster Response CLA requires use of the WDS Field Guide, ATC 20, and ATC 45. Additionally, it is recommended that all participants download a copy of FEMA's P-2055, available at no cost here.