Disaster Responders support the Red Cross mission by serving on a team to provide 24-hour immediate support and assistance to individuals and families who have been impacted by a home fire or other local disaster.
- Works as part of an assigned team to respond to local disasters within established time frames defined in the Disaster Action Team Program Standards & Procedures.
- Maintains regular communication with Duty Officer and other members of the team while assigned to an event to ensure continuity and safety.
- Creates cases in RC Care, and complete confirmations as a second responder.
- Provides care, comfort, and compassion to clients (in accordance with Red Cross standards and procedures).
- Works with on-scene DAT SV/MN to assess whether additional resources/support are required and communicates those needs to DAT Leadership.
- Maintains and accounts for personal inventory of Client Assistance Cards (CACs).
- Attends regularly scheduled team/DAT meetings as required by Chapter/Region.
- Supports DAT capacity building by mentoring and training DAT Specialists and Observers on DAT responses and exercises when available.
- Maintains RC Care Intake Worker user access.
- Maintains RC Respond General User access.
General Responsibilities for all Service Associates:
- Ensure that work is carried out in alignment with our fundamental principles and within established guidelines.
- Maintain flexibility in a continuously changing environment in which work priorities may change frequently.
- Collaborate effectively with others in a disaster environment.
- Efficiently handle time sensitive issues that may arise in area of responsibility.
- Report the status of assigned responsibilities and tasks as directed.
- Work independently while following the direction of the direct supervisor.
Qualifications:
- Demonstrated commitment to mission of the American Red Cross.
- Reliable access to a cell phone (with ability to receive text messages), laptop or computer.
- Be available to respond reliably to local disasters during assigned shifts in RC Respond, the DAT scheduling system, and communicate scheduling conflicts with DAT Leadership
- Must sign up for the minimum number of required shifts per month as determined by the region.
- Able to follow Red Cross DAT and other related standards and procedures.
- Proficient in using RC Care and RC Respond systems and online interfaces.
- Must be 18 years or older.
- Must have a valid driver's license and/or a timely, reliable way to get to the scene.
General Qualifications for all Service Associates:
- Comfortable working independently and within a team.
- Ability to work with a broad variety of people with diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to have good organizational and time management skills.
- Ability to listen actively and work well with others.
- Ability to function in a dynamic and stressful environment.
- Ability to appropriately involve others in managing problems and conflict.
- Ability to acquire, evaluate, and report information accurately.
- Willingness to comply with current public health and Red Cross policies.
- Refer to the Physical Capacity Grid for physical and emotional requirements.
Disasters happen day & night. The schedule varies (either on-call commitment or call down of volunteer roster). A disaster response can take 3-4 hours (on average). Number of responses vary per month based on urban vs rural geography.
