Red Cross Disaster

                                         Action Team

The purpose of the American Red Cross Disaster Services is to help the community prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Disaster Services has three main modes of action:

1. Prepare itself as a Disaster Services organization to respond immediately in the event of a disaster.

2. Provide community education on how to prevent personal disaster (such as fires), and prepare for a larger disaster event (such as floods or tornados).

3. Assist the community in a variety of ways in the event of a disaster.

Training: Free. All Disaster Services volunteers must fill out a volunteer application, meet with the volunteer coordinator, and take “Introduction to Disaster Services,” which provides an overview of the Red Cross role in disaster and how you might participate.

 

Commitment: Attend required classes, attend local disaster volunteer meetings, and participate in drills when they occur.

 

At any time, you may schedule an appointment with our emergency services staff to clarify your options and to discuss such things as:

• Your work preferences: behind the scenes in a supporting role, such as logistics, or helping people directly as in counseling, food service or sheltering operations.

• Do you want to help in large national relief efforts and join the Red Cross national system?

• Would you prefer to work in planning or coordinating with other groups, such as community organizations active in disasters?

• What are the training and experience implications of your decisions, and what do you need to do next?