Service Teams Training Program

The training program for World Shelters Service Teams provides background and hands-on engagement for volunteers. The 4-day course Settlement Planning and Shelter Construction is planned for May 2008.

For more information or to sign up, email brettb @ worldshelters.org

Settlement Planning and Shelter Construction, May 2008

The goal of the course is to create a knowledgeable base of people with effective shelter construction skills. This first course introduces World Shelters service teams to Settlement Planning and Shelter Construction. It presents information about humanitarian disaster response shelter issues as well as training in practical skills.

Course Outline:
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
Detailed coverage of the Humanitarian Charter Minimum Standards in Disaster Response, and the Emergency Shelter Cluster approach

SETTLEMENTS AND SHELTERS
Theories and case studies of successful shelter settlement situations. Site issues: environment, planning, preparation, anticipation of change

CONSTRUCTION (IN CLASS)
Multiple sessions on: commercial shelters, construction materials and techniques, including health and safety issues, coverage of OSHA standards for building (USA), working with plastic sheeting

ASSEMBLY OF COMMERCIAL SHELTERS (HANDS ON LAB)
World Shelters U-Dome & Q-Shelter, Tents of various configurations

CONSTRUCTION METHODS: LOCALLY-SOURCED MATERIALS (HANDS ON LAB)
Multiple sessions on: Appropriate construction techniques, tools, locally available building supplies, locally available natural materials, various fastening methods, emphasizing health and safety, maintaining personal health and safety in adverse conditions, information technology, GIS, and use of GPS equipment, modification of World Shelters U-Dome and Q-Shelters

HOW TO LEAD CONSTRUCTION
Practice guiding and performing shelter construction.
“Train the trainer” tutorials include: working safely in challenging situations, assessment, site issues and planning, cultural issues and community integration, local architectural vernaculars and low-tech construction techniques
Building with:
• Bamboo
• Timber
• CGI
• Plastic sheeting
• Locally available building supplies
• Locally available natural materials