DMT Muck and Gut Volunteer Training | Alexandria VA | April 2026

Islamic Relief is looking for individuals to become part of our national network of trained disaster response volunteers! This 4 hour, in-person training prepares volunteers to assist in Muck and Gut operations and become part of our disaster response teams.

Date and Time: Saturday, April 25 from 10am-2pm

Location: Islamic Relief Headquarters, 3655 Wheeler Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304
 

What is Muck and Gut? 

"Muck and Gut" refers to the process of clearing flood-damaged homes by removing debris, drywall, flooring, and insulation to prevent mold growth.

IRUSA launched the Muck & Gut Program to assist communities affected by flooding and other water-related disasters. The program operates across various FEMA Regions, with trained volunteers and pre-positioned equipment in key areas. Partnerships with Crisis Cleanup, State VOADs, and state and county emergency management agencies strengthen the program’s impact. 

What to expect?

This is a 4-hour, hands-on training course with 6 training modules. You will learn:

Unit 1: Course Introduction

Overview of the Muck and Gut Program, goals of the training, and expectations for field deployment.

Unit 2: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Detailed review of essential safety gear with a live PPE display. Includes:

Leg, foot, hand, head, eye, and respiratory protection

Use of TYVEK suits and proper dressing/undressing procedures

Unit 3: Safety Plan and Communication

Covers situational awareness, team communication, and establishing a safety plan on-site.

Unit 4: Worksite Walkthrough

How to assess the worksite for hazards, including:

Downed power lines and utilities (electricity, gas, water, HVAC)

Structural safety (e.g., roof condition, water damage extent, age of home)

Waiver process and liability awareness

Unit 5: Debris Management

Best practices for debris removal:

Sorting and separating categories of debris

Proper disposal and minimizing cross-contamination

Unit 6: Muck-Out Operations

Hands-on training in:

Use of tools and equipment

Worksite preparation and setup

Muck-out procedures and demolition techniques

Decontamination processes

Drywall and TYVEK practical scenarios

You’ll practice actual muck and gut techniques in a controlled, supervised environment to build confidence and readiness.

What should you wear?

This is an active, hands-on training. Please wear:

Sturdy work boots or steel-toe boots

Jeans or heavy-duty work pants

Clothing you don’t mind getting dirty

Age Restriction: Due to the nature of this training, only people 18+ will be permitted to attend.

Please do not attend a volunteer project if in the last 7 days you have:
Interacted with anyone who had or has COVID-19
Had a fever
Have experienced symptoms that could be related to COVID-19
Have had COVID-19

If you have any questions, please contact Shawana Javaid at [email protected].