1. Emergency Response Units, Rapid Response

Emergency Response Units (ERUs) are standardised, self-sufficient teams of specialists for international deployments. Rapid Response (RR) can be deployed as a team or as individual experts. They support the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement or other international relief operations in disaster-stricken regions. ERUs work with standardised equipment that is stored and ready for transport to the field. ERUs can also be assembled in a modular way (personnel and/or material) and tailored by a deployed IFRC WASH RRS WASH Coordinator to meet assessed needs in the field. National Society (NS) staff and volunteers are trained according to IFRC standards. ERUs are designed to deploy within 48 hours of being alerted. A mission lasts up to four months, with teams rotating every four to five weeks. Integration of national and/or regional WASH experts from regional NSs is a highest priority. The handover of the ERU to the Host National Society (HNS) or another partner should be planned from the beginning, carried out gradually from beginning of the deployment and completed at the latest at the end of the ERU deployment. Within the Austrian Red Cross (AutRC), four different ERUs, 3 x Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Information Technology and Telecommunications (ITT), are ready for deployment. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFCR) Coordination and Planning (CAP) and/or Regional Disaster Response Teams (RDRT) will be used for assessment and coordination.

2. National and International Trainings

The following course descriptions provide an overview of trainings and capacity building courses, as well as trainings for international deployments, which take place both in Austria and internationally. Additional courses will be announced separately.

2.1. Trainings by the AutRC

The initial selection of staff is made by the Regional Branches or National Societies, who then nominate their staff for the training. The final selection of participants is made by AutRC Headquarters according to the following criteria:

• Professional and personal qualifications
• Relevant training already completed
• Physical and psychological suitability for international deployments
• General and international Red Cross experience
• Balance of participants (in terms of regional associations/gender)

Integration of participants from Partner National Societies (PNSs) and AutRC programs is of highest priority.

2.2. Trainings within the RC Movement

The selection of participants for RC trainings abroad is made by the AutRC Headquarters, International Disaster and Crisis Department. The regional branches register participants with AutRC Headquarters, which then sends a ranking list to the IFRC. The IFRC selects from the registrations of all National Societies. Selected delegates are contacted individually for specific training and exercises.

2.3. Training by the EU, UN or other organisations

The Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) acts as a focal point for EU and UN training opportunities. Open registrations are communicated to the Regional Branches by the AutRC Headquarters, Department for EU Civil Protection Mechanism. In certain cases, suitable professionals from modules or experts may be contacted directly. The regional branches register the applicants willing to be deployed within the framework of the UCPM with the AutRC Headquarters, Department for EU Civil Protection Mechanism (direct registration is not accepted by the BMI), which makes a selection, establishes a ranking and forwards it to the BMI. The BMI selects the registrations of all Austrian organisations. For further information on the EU Civil Protection Mechanism please contact: eucp@roteskreuz.at

3. International Delegate Training Career

For structural questions about international training, please contact the AutRC International Disaster and Crisis Department by e-mail: surge_training@roteskreuz.at

4. Administrative

The training of international emergency delegates is carried out by the International Disaster and Crisis Department in cooperation with other operational departments of the AutRC.

4.1. Requirements

The following requirements must be met to work as a delegate on an international mission with ERUs and RRs:

• Age requirements in accordance with the AutRC's Disaster Relief Regulations
• Availability at short notice
• Good knowledge of English (CEF B2 level), other foreign languages are an advantage
• Flexibility and organisational skills
• Completed minimum trainings required for IFRC Rapid Response personnel
• Completed international specialized training (e.g. WASH, ITT)

4.2. Registration

Please send your application for AutRC training to the AutRC International Cooperation Department: surge_training@roteskreuz.at at least eight weeks before the start of an event via the official channel with approval of your line manager (Local Branch - Regional Branch - Red Cross Red Crescent National Society). The registration form can be found here.

Participants will receive an email confirming that their application has been received by AutRC. This is not a ticket for a seat at the training. After the registration deadline, AutRC selects participants from all registrations and informs the relevant regional branches/organisational units and staff of the selection.
Each course has a minimum and maximum number of participants. At least 60% of the maximum number of participants must register for the course to take place.

4.3. Seminar fees

Unless otherwise stated, participants do not have to pay any fees. AutRC Headquarters covers the cost of an event, including accommodation and meals (usually breakfast and lunch). The Regional Branch, other Sending Unit or the participants must pay for travel to the venue and travel expenses during the course.

4.4. Deregistration and cancellation fees

If a participant is unable to attend a course, he/she must cancel through the official channels. Cancellations received less than one week prior to the start of the course, or failure to arrive on the first day of the course, will be subject to cancellation charges for accommodation, meals and travel, in addition to an allowance of EUR 100.

4.5. Invitations

At least four weeks prior to the start of the training, participants will receive an invitation email from the AutRC containing detailed information about the venue, meals, accommodation and the necessary documents. This will include all webinar and seminar times and other preparatory tasks.

4.6. Contact

If you have any questions, please contact the AutRC International Disaster and Crisis Department by email: surge_training@roteskreuz.at

4.7. Privacy Policy

By participating in an Austrian Red Cross (AutRC) training, you agree to the following: Your personal data (name, address, gender, etc.) will be processed by the AutRC for the purpose of conducting this training as well as to comply with any donor regulations (the data will not be passed on to any other party). Pictures and videos taken by or on behalf of the AutRC may be processed and published by the AutRC. These pictures and videos may be published on the homepage www.roteskreuz.at, other websites and social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter)) of the AutRC as well as in its print media publications.

If you do not agree to this, please let us know in advance by email. Further information on data protection and your right to object and complain to a supervisory authority can be found at www.roteskreuz.at/datenschutz. The Data Protection Officer of the AutRC Headquarters can be contacted by e-mail at datenschutz@roteskreuz.at or by phone at +43 1 58 900 955.