Thank you for your interest in HFI Reservist training! HFI's four-day, basic-level coursework is designed to introduce the recruit to the world of immediate disaster / crisis service, and is held several times throughout each year, in various locations across the United States. Hope Force Reservist basic-level training focuses on preparing the individual pragmatically, attitudinally, emotionally and spiritually for the arduous task of a disaster responder. The nature of disaster response can be grueling, with responders often facing very long hours each day while serving individuals who have experienced tremendous loss and suffering.

If an individual desires to become an HFI Reservist, he or she must be personally prepared at every level; appropriate care of others and self is of utmost importance. The comprehensive HFI training consists of two segments, including Hope Force and Salvation Army curriculum. Some of the topics offered in the two-day HFI segment consists of:

The two-day Salvation Army* segment, which completes the Hope Force Reservist training, consists of:

*HFI has forged a meaningful relationship with The Salvation Army, and has executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which allows collaboration in the training, equipping, and deployment of volunteers for disaster services. The Salvation Army is the second largest non-governmental disaster relief organization in the United States, and is HFI's primary partner for domestic response. Upon successful conclusion of the training, and a completed application with satisfactory references, the participant is certified as a Hope Force Reservist and is eligible for deployment at any time during the relief effort -- from the immediate aftermath, to many weeks and months following the initial disaster event.

For example, HFI had several Reservists on the ground within 48 hours of Hurricane Katrina's landfall; we were still deploying Reservists and volunteers four years later during the recovery phase. Very importantly, there are often vital support functions that must be carried out at our various office locations in order to mount an effective response. Administrative support is a critical need during these times, and one that a trained Hope Force Reservist may be well suited for.

We would love to welcome you into our ranks! Please contact us at: info@hopeforce.org or call: 615-371-1271 for further information.