CMAT Training Programs
SPHERE Minimum Standards Disaster Training
CMAT is committed to the efficient, objective and professional delivery of humanitarian assistance by all of its volunteers.
The Sphere Project
The Sphere Project was launched in 1997 by a group of humanitarian NGOs and the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement. Sphere is based on two core beliefs: first, that all possible steps should be taken to alleviate human suffering arising out of calamity and conflict, and second, that those affected by disaster have a right to life with dignity and therefore a right to assistance (see www.sphereproject.org <http://www.sphereproject.org> ). It is a key eligibility requirement by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and other government funding agencies to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
CMAT achieved SPHERE accreditation in January, 2005 and is one of the few NGOs in Canada able to offer this specialized humanitarian standards training.
SPHERE Training in Minimum Standards of Disaster Response Sphere training sessions will be held in Edmonton, AB and Halifax, NS in 2011, and will contain updated information from the 2011 handbook.
REGISTER NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT

As part of CMAT’s ongoing training initiative, a Winter Survival course will be offered from February 16-19, 2012. This Basic and Winter Survival Course has been organized by CMAT Trainer Dave Johnson to better prepare all CMAT members deploying to International Disasters. Together with professional survival instructors, CMAT will provide participants with both theory and hands-on training in basic and winter survival techniques over this 3 day course.
CMAT Trainer Dave Johnson notes that, “While most CMAT deployments historically have been to much warmer, sometimes tropical climates, the organization has recently had several operations in cold regions such as Kashmir, Pakistan (2005), and Tohoku, Japan (2011)."
There remains a distinct possibility of disasters occurring in colder regions, and the skills learned in this course would be transferable to warmer climates, with an emphasis being placed on how to survive in remote areas in the event individuals are separated from any significant support.
Dave continues, "this could happen during any deployment including in populated areas, where our responders are requested to go into mountainous terrain or tasked to a remote region. During a response, the possibility of further catastrophic events, such as aftershocks do exist. This training could become crucial to both the individual and team’s survival." CMAT also occasionally utilizes rescue aircraft to conduct satellite visits to remote areas, and this course would help prepare participants for the possibility of a crash either in the field, or in day to day air travel.

Thursday Morning/ Afternoon:
Participant arrival at YWG (Winnipeg, Manitoba) James Armstrong Richardson International Airport. (Staging at a location to be determined within the airport.)
The first night starts with a short tutorial lesson and overnight stay at the agricultural centre with your sleeping bag (foam mat provided).
1730 Bus departs staging area at the airport
1830 Arrive at Stonewall Agricultural Centre - Dinner
1930 Survival Theory Class Part I
2230 Time for socializing then lights out
Friday:
Next day we head out to a remote setting where you will build your own shelter which you will use for your next two nights. You will learn how to build signal fires, how to catch or identify food and how to source water. Some wilderness medical aid will be a part of the curriculum along with the do’s and don’ts of remote survival.
0730 Breakfast 0730hrs
0800 Survival Theory Class Part II (0800–1100hrs)
1130 Bus Departs for remote wilderness area
1330 Arrive remote wilderness area
1400 Survival Instruction and Training – build shelter, and other survival skills training
Sleep Overnight in your shelter
Saturday:
Survival Instruction and Training - all day
Sleep overnight in your shelter
Sunday:
0800 Survival Instruction and Training
1030 Debrief in remote wilderness area
1100 Camp tear-down
1300 Bus departs for Winnipeg
1500 Arrival Winnipeg Airport for participants flying out Sunday evening
1600 Remainder Bus Drop at hotel (hotel costs and airport transfer not included)
You will receive Theory and Hands-on Training
· Pre-Trip Planning and preparation
· Equipment
· Psychology of Survival
· Survival Techniques
· Secondary Assistance Responders
· Environmental Injury prevention
· Wilderness Medical Treatment
· Fire
· Shelter
· Signals
· Food and Water
Learn What to Do
· If the rescue aircraft you are on crashes in a remote area
· What gear should always be carried on your person
· Strategies for survival in any environment
· How to prepare for disaster response into remote areas
· How to improvise medical treatment with little or no equipment
· What you should do if lost in a remote area
· Precautions to take when responding to remote disasters
· How to build a survival and signal fire
· Learn to build different types of shelter
· Signal tools
· How to find and prepare food and water
Course Cost $275.00
Participants are responsible to book and pay for their own flight to Winnipeg, arriving before 16:30 on Thursday Feb 16th. **
**Tax Receipt issued for $50 toward the cost of course, and for the flight costs (minus 7% administration), after flight receipt is submitted to the CMAT administrator.
Cost Includes – all instructor and training costs, equipment, transportation to remote wilderness site, provisions, and one night at the agricultural centre. (using your sleeping bag on a foam mat - provided).
Participants can book their return flights from Winnipeg for after 16:00 on Sunday evening, or may choose to stay a night in an airport hotel with other participants after the course is completed on Sunday, in order to depart YWG on Monday. An airport hotel is available at $110/nt plus tax.
What You Need To Bring:
· Winter clothing including good winter boots and pants
· Leather gloves
· Knife (pocket or hunting)
· Lighter/waterproof matches
· Winter sleeping bag
· Change of clothing
· Extra pair of gloves or mittens
· Flashlight
· Whistle
· Any other personal survival equipment
*Optional – You may bring a lightweight personal survival kit which includes some of the items above along with other recommended items. Many examples can be found online.
YOUR NEXT STEP:
The course requires a minimum of 15 persons. There is a limit to the number of members that can participate. A non-refundable deposit of $150.00 + small admin. fee must be received by Jan.20, 2012. Please click here before Jan 20, 2012 to register. Do not book your flights until you receive a confirmation from CMAT that the course will be run. CMAT is not responsible for the cost or booking of flights. Participants will be required to sign a waiver of liability prior to participating in this course.
A reminder to participants, that in order to qualify for deployment to disaster affected regions, all CMAT volunteers should attend at least one training session or workshop annually. This is also an opportunity for new members to join and become familiar with the organization.
If you have any questions about the course, please contact Dave Johnson at djohnson@canadianmedicalteams.org
*** COURSE CANCELLED DUE TO INSUFFICIENT REGISTRATION ***
REGISTER NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT
| Introductory SPHERE videos | |
| This is a 9-minute video made in 1999, giving a general introduction to Sphere. (English) 9 mins - High Speed Internet recommended | Click here |
CMAT achieved SPHERE status in January, 2005 and is one of the only NGOs in Canada offering this specialized disaster training.
Keep visiting this page for additional training courses that are being developed.
Accommodations:| To be announced. |
| Friday | 19:00 to 21:30hrs |
| Saturday | 08:30 to 16:30hrs |
| Sunday | 09:00 to 15:00hrs |
| * Times are subject to change. | |
| Refreshment breaks and lunch will be provided. | |
Cost:
$1,000 (Canadian dollars) up to and
including 15 days before course
(November 15, 2007/January 10, 2008), then
$1,250 up to course date (Canadian dollars) to be used
towards CMAT humanitarian projects.
Special discounts: CRF
volunteers who have deployed on
previous missions (e.g. Pakistan,
Bangladesh)
are eligible for a 50% discount;
other volunteers who have been asked
to provide supporting documentation
and have complete files are eligible
for a 25% discount.
Early cancellation fee: Full
refund less 10% towards
administration expenses until
15 days before course, then 50% refund if cancelled up
to course date.
Space is limited - interested
individuals are urged to register
early to avoid disappointment.
Register securely online now
Past Courses
SPHERE Minimum Standards Training - Saskatoon, Canada.
September 7, 8 and 9, 2007Location: The Michael Dutchak Centre, 430 Melville Street, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
CMAT International Disaster Response Workshop (Ont)
October 14-15, 2006
Location: Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario. CANADA.
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