Fulfill the mission of the American Red Cross by helping your community and the country prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters large and small. Disaster workers have the opportunity to serve in many capacities with a range of time commitments. As a Disaster worker you can turn your compassion into action, leverage your unique skills and abilities, and serve your community as part of a dynamic and dedicated team.

Key Responsibilities

Prepare, Respond, Recover

Preparedness:

Home Fire Campaign Volunteer:

• Working with your local fire department and your community to educate and install free smoke alarms
• Test current smoke alarms
• Install up to three smoke alarms per home.
• We offer free training.
• We offer tools necessary to do the job.
• Our goal is to reduce fatalities by 25%
• Being part of the bigger picture of giving back to your community

• Present preparedness education material to grade school children in a school setting.

Response:

We help people affected by disasters ranging from home fires to hurricanes by providing food, shelter, clothing, comfort and hope. Each year, volunteers respond to approx. 2,300 local disaster across the state of Michigan.

• Disaster Action Team Member (Disaster Services Member):
  • DAT Members work on a scheduled, on-call basis and respond to disasters in their local community/geographical area
  • Day and overnight shifts available 24/7 - 365 days a year
  • Shifts are scheduled in advance (by the responder). Responders are expected to answer emergency calls and respond while on-duty
  • Work with clients to begin the recovery casework process
  • Length of shift will vary by geographical area

Recovery:

• Recovery Caseworker (Disaster Services Member):
  • To assist clients in bridging the gap between what they can accomplish on their own and what is necessary to allow them to move through the recovery process
  • Usually completed during daytime, weekday business hours (may differ by geographical area)

Disaster workers are expected to:

• Be passionate about their communities
• Serve with honesty and integrity
• Follow the fundamental principles of the Red Cross
• Be flexible and willing to help those in need

Disaster workers have a broad option of time commitments ranging from a few hours a month to several hours every day.

Disaster workers not only learn how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters by the Nation's leader in Disaster relief, but they also develop:

• Leadership and interpersonal skills
• Time management and professionalism
• Decision-making skills
• Many technical skills ranging from mass care, logistics, technology, public relations, human resources, and planning.

Most opportunities within Disaster Services request at least a year commitment to service. However, we accommodate whatever time you are willing to commit.

Disaster workers serve alongside many Public and Private partners including First Responders, Social Service agencies and Community agencies.

Training required are based upon a specific area of interest.

All Disaster workers complete at least one course entitled "Disaster Services: An Overview" which is available online and in-person.

All training is provided free of charge and in a variety of formats.


Want to learn more? https://www.redcross.org/volunteer/disaster-action-team.html