The Thurston County Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), is a volunteer organization that brings together community members who provide needed services to the people of Thurston County before, during, and after times of emergencies and/or other disasters.

The purpose of the Disaster Assistance Response team is to train people how to prepare to take care of themselves and their neighbors during emergencies.  DART also performs projects that improves community preparedness and safety and is a resource and volunteer pool during major emergencies.

The  goal of DART goal is to have knowledgeable members trained in Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), disaster preparedness, basic disaster response, fire extinguisher use, emergency radio communications, sandbagging, basic first aid, AED, safety assessment, shelter care, etc.

Who is eligible to become a member of DART?

Any individual 18 years of age and older can apply. You must submit an application, pass a background check, possess a valid driver’s license and complete at least 20 hours of core training.

Membership Levels

Levels of Membership shall consist of three levels of membership, which are determined by intention, service, and participation in community events per calendar year beginning January 1st and ending December 31st.

• Level I is required to have member voting rights. If trainings are not offered in the calendar year due to extenuating circumstances an extension can be granted and approved by the elected board members. Level I: Level I membership shall be the beginning level upon completion of the required TCDART training. If Level I members intend to maintain their “active” status, they must complete IS 100, 200 and 700 courses, AED/CPR/First AID and CERT Certified within the first year of membership. Once achieved will be qualified to have voting member rights.
• Level II: Level II membership will be attained by volunteering a total of 10 documented hours of community events and participation in one emergency drill and/or training session per year. Only 3 hours of the required documented hours may be accrued from online training. In addition, all Level II members will need to complete IS 100, 200 and 700 courses AED/CPR/First AID and CERT Certified within the first year of membership. Once achieved will be qualified to have voting member rights.
• Level III: Level III membership will be attained by volunteering a total of 20 documented hours of community events and participation in one emergency drill and/or training session per year. Only 6 hours of the required documented hours may be accrued from online training. In addition, all Level III members will need to complete IS 100, 200 and 700 courses, AED/CPR/First AID and CERT Certified within the first year of membership. Once achieved will be qualified to have voting member rights.

Training Requirements

DART training includes but are not limited to:

• FEMA IS 100
• FEMA IS 200
• FEMA IS 700
• CERT
• First Aid/CPR
• Shelter Training with American Red Cross
• Emergency Coordination Center Training with Thurston County
• Disaster Psychology
• Sandbagging/flood response
• Family and Personal Preparedness

Before registering for the FEMA online trainings, you will need to apply for a FEMA Student Identification Number.  The FEMA Student Identification (SID) number is a unique number generated and assigned to anyone who needs or is required to take training provided by a FEMA organization. Your FEMA SID uniquely identifies you throughout the FEMA organization and all its agencies. The goal is for your FEMA SID to serve as your personal identification number instead of your Social Security Number (SSN) in support of FEMA’s effort to decrease/cease the use of SSN for identifying and tracking individuals. Register for your FEMA SID here https://cdp.dhs.gov/FEMASID/#faq

Meeting and Training Schedule

June 22, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. CPR Training

July 27, 2023 6:00 p.m. General Business Meeting 

August 24, 2023 5:00 p.m. Volunteer Appreciation BBQ

October 26, 2023 6:00 p.m. Training TBD

December 7, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. General Business Meeting and Potluck

TC DART Bylaws