YOU MAKE THE CALL! Red Cross Volunteer Dispatchers (aka Duty Officers) Needed

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YOU MAKE THE CALL! Red Cross Volunteer Duty Officers (aka Dispatchers) Needed

Yes, you can work from home!

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A disaster occurs. Does the Red Cross respond? Who do we send to the scene? What resources are needed? This is where YOU come in.

Before a local team of Red Cross volunteers responds a disaster - usually home fires - a trained Duty Officer works with local authorities, fire departments, emergency personnel, and others to help determine if we are needed. This decision is based on triggers such as the size, scope, affected areas, etc. of the event. Once the team is dispatched (on your direction), you will continue to monitor and support the in-field volunteers and Red Cross personnel involved with the disaster response.

Cooperating with your Volunteer Manager, specific responsibilities include:

• Ensuring the timely activation of Disaster Action Team (DAT) members and ensuring appropriate resources are made available.
• Monitoring local and regional responses, including multiple concurrent events.
• Working with on-scene leadership to support the disaster response effort.
• Providing technical guidance to in-field and all appropriate team members and colleagues.
• Supporting and training new Duty Officers.
• Activating specialty personnel, including volunteers in Disaster Health Services, Disaster Mental Health, and Disaster Spiritual Care, when requested.
• Documenting incoming disaster notifications and verifying events in Red Cross proprietary database, when applicable.
• Notifying Chapter and Regionally staff to significant events and contributing to appropriate reports.
• Attending regularly scheduled meetings and training.
• Other duties as discussed.

Qualifications:

• Familiarity with Red Cross training, standards and procedures.
• Ability to work multiple-hour shifts on a regular basis.
• Demonstrated leadership and easy-to-understand/follow communication skills.
• Commitment to the mission of the Red Cross, including values, fundamental principles, etc.
• Ability to remotely monitor and track details of disaster responses.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in complex and potentially stressful situations.
• Proficiency with Red Cross systems and online interfaces (free training provided.)
• Basic computer skills, internet connectivity and telephone access.

To learn more about this vital volunteer role - and many of the volunteer opportunities with the Red Cross - please email Ned.Bloom@redcross.org. All our volunteers are heroes. We look forward to welcoming you to the team.