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Disaster Recovery Manager

Certificate of Accomplishment | CE0102

This specialized program provides learners with the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to become a disaster recovery manager anywhere in Canada. It combines the foundational learning in conjunction with certified training and real-world experience needed to manage a recovery project from start to finish in compliance with industry standards. In addition, students will be taught necessary industry certifications certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), and Verisk technology training.

Students that complete the program will receive:

  • A professional learning certificate as a Disaster Recover Manager from Humber College
  • Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration Technician (FSRT) Certification from IICRC
  • Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT) Certification from IICRC
  • Xactimate Level 1 Training from Verisk
  • Exposure to other key industry technology

The program works with industry stakeholders and experts and technology firms in Canada.

Courses in this program provide students with certifications in:

IICRC-Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification           Fundamentals Xactimate               

Program Graduates

Graduates of this program assume careers in Property Restoration such as:

  • Project Managers
  • Assistant/Junior Program Manager
  • Emergency Technicians (Water, Fire, Catastrophe)
  • General Laborer’s
  • Loss Estimators

Program Scholarships

The program has several scholarships to recognize students’ excellence and provide program support. Once enrolled in the program students are encourage to apply for all of the scholarships.

Other Costs

Other material costs for the program include:

  • Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT) Certification Exam ($80.00 USD)
  • Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration Technician (FSRT) Certification ($80.00 USD)

*(Please note that both exams must be completed with in 45 days of course completion)

Registration

This program is offered as both a 1-Semester Intensive program or as a Course-by-Course program. For those wishing to complete the Intensive program you will receive a 10% discount available by contacting Tara.Kuipery@humber.ca

The Learner Experience

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Who is the ideal learner?

Individuals that are:

  • New to the industry and are looking to start an exciting career in property restoration.
  • Individuals that are currently working in property restoration space and aspire to be a project manager.
  • Industry professionals looking at increasing their knowledge and skills as a project manager or in the restoration management space.
  • Insurance professionals looking at transitioning into the property restoration space.

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Who is teaching this program?

Learners can expect to be taught by industry thought leaders and technical professionals in the restoration space. You can expect an interactive and engaged teaching and learning experience.

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What is the online learning experience like?

This program offers a tremendous amount of flexibility allowing learners to work during the day and pursue the program in the evenings as all courses will be delivered online. The program will be delivered in a combination of self-paced and live instruction.*

Humber online courses are designed using a common set of design principles: simplicity, usability, and accessibility. Learners can also access support and tools to help them succeed in their online studies.

*Please note that learners who pursue the INSB 116 Water Damage Restoration, and INSB Fire and Smoke Restoration will be required to be present for all classes with their cameras online as required by IICRC standards.

Curriculum

Quick-Look Availability Scheduler

Use the Quick-Look Availability Scheduler to see available courses in a calendar view and plan towards achieving your certificate.

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Course Name 2025/2026 Academic Year 2026/2027 Academic Year
Compulsory Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr
INSB 110: Introduction to Disaster Restoration Management
INSB 111: Communications & Professionalism
INSB 112: Insurance Claims & Adjustment
INSB 113: Appraisal & Estimation (Xactimate Level 1)
INSB 114: Operations & Project Management
INSB 115: Field Documentation
INSB 116: Water Damage Restoration (WRT)
INSB 117: Fire and Smoke Restoration (FSRT)

Compulsory Courses

INSB 110 Introduction to Disaster Restoration Management
  Start Date: May 2025  

In this instructor-led course, learners explore the restoration process and the manager’s role in stabilizing and fixing damage after a crisis. It focuses on the different roles involved in the restoration cycle from the point of entry until final closeout. This includes exposure to basic restoration concepts and key terms.

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INSB 111 Communications & Professionalism
  Start Date: March 2025, May 2025  

In this instructor-led course, learners explore the lines of communication required to deliver on the “chain of promise” during a recovery scenario. It focuses on self-care, rapport, deportment, conflict resolution, client anxiety and other soft skills surrounding the communications triangle. This includes other issues that help maintain professional conduct during difficult circumstances.

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INSB 112 Insurance Claims & Adjustment
  Start Date: May 2025  

In this instructor-led course, learners explore the central role that insurance plays in restoration. It focuses on how to work with the insurance companies that provide most of the funding. The course includes issues related to risk, how losses are covered and how adjusters manage claims. This includes the flow of information, the involvement of other roles and the manager’s co-ordinating function.

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INSB 113 Appraisal & Estimation (Xactimate Level 1)
  Start Date: March 2025, July 2025  
In this self-directed technology course, learners explore how to appraise the impact of damage and estimate the effort required to restore a specific structure. It focuses on how to document the level of damage and estimate the amount of work required for repair. This includes how to size, estimate, and map site damage as well as price the work and submit records. Students will complete Xactimate Level 1 in this course and be required to write the Xactimate Level 1 exam to become certified.

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INSB 114 Operations & Project Management
  Start Date: June 2025  
In this instructor-led course, learners explore how to manage a restoration site from the point of entry until close-out and withdraw. It focuses on the principles and practices of emergency response, building construction and project management to repair a building to industry standards. Attention will be paid to solving problems and managing the contractor, insurer and insured relationships.

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INSB 115 Field Documentation
  Start Date: March 2025, June 2025  
In this self-directed course, learners will learn the Encircle technology to document the structural impacts of a disaster and the remediation techniques applied to restore the situation. It focuses on the records needed to prove the level of damage and the restoration work conducted in order that technicians get paid. This includes how to size, estimate and map site damage as well as submit documentation.

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INSB 116 Water Damage Restoration (WRT)
  Start Date: March 2025, July 2025  
In this instructor-led course, learners explore how to remediate water damage based on its impacts and the techniques used to dry out a typical structure. It focuses on how to deal with water losses, sewer backflows and contaminates such as mold. The final assessment is an IICRC certification exam which is recognized across the industry.

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INSB 117 Fire and Smoke Restoration (FSRT)
  Start Date: March 2025, May 2025  
In this instructor-led course, learners explore how to remediate fire and smoke damage based on its impacts and the techniques used to clean and deodorize a typical structure. It focuses how to scope, mitigate, clean, deodorize, spoliate and document damages. The final assessment is an IICRC certification exam which is recognized across the industry.

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Faculty Highlights

Anna Donahoo

In 5+ years at Encircle, Anna has worked closely with hundreds of restoration contractors to understand the challenges they face in the field and help them elevate their field documentation processes. She leads Encircle's customer education program, delivering high-quality learning experiences to Encircle's many users.

Ian McKay

Ian has dedicated over 28 years to the Insurance Industry. His journey commenced at Belair Insurance as a Property Claims adjuster back in 1995. Transitioning to RBC Insurance in 1999, he contributed nearly 13 years across multiple positions within property claims, culminating in the role of Director of Property Claims Operations. His career then led him to Northbridge in 2012, assuming the position of Senior Director, National Appraisal. In 2014, Ian joined Xactware/Verisk, where he presently serves as an Associate Vice President, collaborating with both insurance companies and restoration contractors.

Josh Jordao

My name is Josh Jordao, and I’m thrilled to bring my passion for restoration insurance and project management into the classroom. By day, I serve as the Operations Manager at ServiceMaster Restore of Canada, where I lead a dynamic team and oversee a national network of contractors. My mission? To ensure every home and business we touch rises stronger after disaster strikes.

Over the past decade, I’ve immersed myself in the world of insurance restoration and construction. My career began in the trenches—literally—working on the tools, learning the craft from the ground up. From there, I transitioned into project management, where I discovered my true calling: helping people through some of the toughest moments in their lives.

Today, I wear many hats. I lead my network with an operations-driven approach, prioritizing quality and performance to ensure exceptional outcomes. I also cultivate strong partnerships with insurance providers, fostering collaboration and trust. Additionally, I offer technical expertise in areas such as scorecards and operational excellence, always striving to enhance efficiency and results. Beyond that, I’m passionate about staying ahead of the curve by exploring cutting-edge technologies and innovations that are shaping the future of restoration.

As a professor, I’m here to share the lessons I’ve learned in the field and inspire the next generation of restoration professionals. Together, we’ll explore the strategies, tools, and mindset needed to thrive in this vital, ever-evolving industry.

Kris Rzesnoski

Meet Kris Rzesnoski, a seasoned professor in the intricate art of fire and flood restoration. With a career steeped in diverse roles, Kris's journey spans from being an astute adjuster to a tenacious fraud investigator and navigating the complexities of insurance field underwriting. Having steered restoration companies from large corporate entities, franchises, and small businesses Kris brings a unique blend of real-world experience to the classroom. As the Vice President of Encircle Kris has created industry-changing software that is used by thousands of restorers around the world.

Armed with a repertoire of industry accolades, Kris holds coveted designations such as Certified Restorer, Water Loss Specialist, Fire Loss Specialist, Contents Loss Specialist, and Environmental Risk Specialist and is an IICRC Instructor for the Water Loss Specialist and Fire Loss Specialist Programs. His expertise extends beyond theoretical realms, delving into the practical nuances of estimating and restorer profitability. In Kris's classroom, knowledge is not just disseminated; it's an immersive journey through the dynamic landscapes of restoration, where theory meets the seasoned wisdom of a professional who has weathered storms of both fire and flood. Join Kris on a transformative learning experience that goes beyond the textbooks and into the heart of restoration mastery.

Lee Senter

Lee Senter has been in the cleaning and restoration industry for 45 years and is a technical specialist for Toronto Moisture Testing and Instruments.

He is the CEO of Fresh and Clean, a specialty cleaning company in Toronto and was the Standards Vice Chair for the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) for 9 years. Lee is now the chairperson of the IICRC Safety and Health Field Guides under the IICRC Standards Committee. These field guides are developed to supplement all the IICRC cleaning and restoration Standards.

Lee is also the president of the local trade association, the Canadian Flooring, Cleaning & Restoration Association (CFCRA), and holds their Shareholder vote for the IICRC. He teaches several different courses for organizations such as the IICRC, CFCRA, International Sanitation Supply Association (ISSA Canada) and the Restoration Sciences Academy (RSA). His passion is for health and safety and hopes to raise the bar in the abatement and remediation industries.

Lee loves his wife and family, and Toronto sports teams, and has a passion for North American history.

Lorne McIntyre

Lorne McIntyre, a seasoned professional in the cleaning and restoration industry, brings over 30 years of expertise to his role as the Principal Technical Consultant at Restoration Advisor, a distinguished boutique disaster restoration consulting firm based in Toronto. In his current capacity, Lorne serves as a Restoration Industry Association (RIA) Technical Trainer and is also internationally recognized as an IICRC-approved Technical Instructor with the Restoration Science Academy in the categories WRT, FSR, ASD, OCT, and CCT.

Possessing a comprehensive skill set, Lorne has achieved the distinction of holding all three IICRC Master Certifications. Additionally, he has been honoured with multiple capstone designations from the Restoration Industry Association, including Certified Restorer (CR), Water Loss Specialist (WLS), Fire Loss Specialist (FLS), Content Loss Specialist (CLS), and Environmental Risk Specialist (ERS).

Lorne consistently adds value to the industry by actively participating in voluntary roles on multiple IICRC and RIA committees, underscoring his steadfast dedication to advancing and upholding industry standards. His noteworthy service extended to the RIA Board of Directors from 2017 to 2020.

In his ongoing commitment to the field, Lorne is pivotal in addressing water and fire losses through his cutting-edge mitigation enterprise, Dryfast Property Restoration. Furthermore, his expertise is acknowledged by the International Dry Standard Organization, where he holds the esteemed designation of a Registered Third-Party Evaluator® (RTPE).

Patrick Pelletier

Patrick has been with Xactware/Verisk for over 15 years where he started in technical support to later become a senior trainer for all Xactware products. During this period, he has worked with contractors and carriers to train and roll out Xactware products across Canada, the United States and Europe. He is now in the role of Director of National Accounts. He is responsible for all contractor groups and IA’s across Canada. His mandate is to ensure his customers receive the support they need to properly use and implement Xactware products in their day-to-day workflow.

Ray Kulchyski

Ray Kulchyski is a dynamic and results-oriented professional with over a decade of experience in property damage restoration. He has a proven track record in project management, operations, and business development, having successfully managed numerous restoration insurance claims.

Starting his career in marketing within the condominium corporation recovery sector, Ray quickly transitioned into project management, overseeing the disaster repair of properties in the Greater Toronto Area. Throughout this time Ray has earned industry certifications which include a Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT), Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT), and Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration Technician (FSRT).

While currently serving as the Regional Vice President of Project Management at Paul Davis G.T.A. West Group, Ray is responsible for leading a team of skilled Project Managers and Construction Managers in the restoration of commercial, multi-use residential properties as well as single-family dwellings. In addition to his operational duties, Ray is committed to imparting and sharing the industry knowledge he has gained throughout his career while leading presentations and seminars on key performance indicators within the restoration industry.

Stephen Fox

I am a Senior Project Manager and Branch Manager with 23 years in the emergency and repair restoration industry. I previously owned and operated a family-run restoration company in Barrie with a heritage of over 65 years. After selling it to First Onsite, I became the Barrie Branch Manager, leading a great team of employees and coordinating restoration projects.

I am dedicated to meeting project requirements, achieving deadlines, and ensuring all milestones are fulfilled. With a strong background in negotiation, customer service, strategic planning, business development, and construction, I excel in program and project management, providing effective leadership during all phases of restoration. Over the past 23 years, I have led diverse remediation projects, gaining a deep understanding of reconstruction practices for water, wind, mold, fire, and vandalism damages. My responsibilities include accurate job costing and estimation, ensuring projects stay within target margins without compromising quality.

I value a work-life balance and enjoy spending time with my immediate and extended family. In my personal time, I love to travel, explore new destinations, and brew craft beer using a Cornell certificate I earned to perfect my skills.

IICRC Master Designations:

  • IICRC Master Designation for Fire and Smoke Restorer (MSR)
  • IICRC Master Designation for Master Water Restorer (MWR)
  • IICRC Master Designation for Master Textile Restorer (MTC)
  • Verisk Estimating Level 1 and 2 Certificates (2023)

Trevor Dirstein

Trevor brings over 15 years of hands-on experience encompassing various facets in the field of property restoration. From frontline operations to the intricacies of office and regional management, his journey has been marked by a commitment to excellence. Trevor’s career trajectory has involved navigating the complexities of both local and national property restoration efforts. In his current role as Business Advisor with First General Services Canada, Trevor supports office operations in Ontario and Western Canada that underscores his commitment to upholding industry standards. His proficiency extends beyond day-to-day operations and is prepared to share valuable insight and proven communication practices ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the industry’s dynamics.

As an instructor, he looks forward to imparting practical knowledge and cultivating skill sets that prepares students for success in the active realm of property restoration.

Testimonials

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The Disaster Recovery Management Program is a course created and led by some of the industry’s top professionals. Each class is a chance to learn from their personal experiences in the field. Between the teaching, the experiences, and the certifications received, I wish this course had been available to me when I first started working in restoration.

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- Joshua D.
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I've found all four instructors and the guest appearances to be a wealth of knowledge. The way the program has been designed enables someone who knows nothing about the industry to understand the complexities and all the moving parts since the instructors talk about the motions and then re-iterate it so it sticks.

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- Zack F.
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I have really enjoyed participating in the Disaster Recovery Program this year. The instructors are excellent in their fields and have so much knowledge to pass along. Their passion is evident in each and every class. It is difficult not to get excited when seeing people who are so involved with their careers, desiring their students to do well also. The Humber support staff is timely with their responses and clearly interested in creating a positive experience for their students.

I come from an industry that is not related to disaster recovery; I was nervous that I would not be prepared. The program is very easy to follow and flows in such a way that it makes learning smooth. I feel confident that my skills along with this education will allow me to be successful in this new and exciting career.

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- Tarrah M.
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Discount & Advanced Standing

Do you have your WRT, FSRT, or Xactimate Level 1? If you do you will qualify for advanced standing in the program.

Looking to send several employees to the program? If so, you may qualify for a discount.

Are you a small business in Ontario? You may qualify for the Canada-Ontario Job Grant where ½ to 1/6 of the training costs will be covered by the Ontario Government. Click here for more details: Canada-Ontario Job Grant (gov.on.ca)


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Contact Us

Humber Continuous Professional Learning Business
647.577.8854
cplbusiness@humber.ca


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