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DART Training Classes

Incident Command System (ICS) Training

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) offers DART training statewide to qualify individuals to assist in emergency or disaster situations. DART members can be qualified on two levels, either that of a Registered Volunteer or that of a Credentialed Responder. The DART training is open to veterinarians, veterinary technicians, Extension personnel, animal control officers, animal owners, livestock producers, animal interest group members, and any volunteers with experience or an interest in assisting in the care of animals during an emergency.

For information about scheduled training or to schedule a training in your area, please contact the State Veterinarian's office at (615) 837-5120.

Registered Volunteers are required to attend a TDA Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) classroom training and sign the TN DART Code of Conduct. [Having completed this level of TN DART training, Registered Volunteers are encouraged to further their training to the credentialed level by completing Incident Command System (ICS) courses 100, 200, and 700; completion of these courses is necessary to complete the current federal National Incident Management System (NIMS) requirements for credentialing (being a Credentialed Responder for TDA could be a requirement for deployment out of the state and you might wish to have this option).] However, should you choose to remain a Registered Volunteer you will be a fully functional member of your local DART.

Credentialed Responders are required, in addition to attending a TDA Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) classroom training and signing the TN DART Code of Conduct, to complete ICS 100, 200, and 700 and submit the certificates of completion of these courses. Be sure to take these courses when your computer is connected to your printer so certificates can be printed! The following website is available for you to take the ICS courses online: http://training.fema.gov/IS/crslist.asp. An average time for completing these courses is about 2-3 hours each. There is an open-book examination at the end of the course and, upon completion of the exam, you will be able to print a copy of your certificate of completion. Print and sign the certificate and send a copy to:

Dr. Phillip Gordon
Tennessee Department of Agriculture
Disaster Animal Response Coordinator
P.O. Box 40627
Nashville, TN  37204

Link to courses: http://training.fema.gov/IS/NIMS.asp

For more information, contact the State Veterinarian's office at (615) 837-5120,