Many weather experts predict a destructive disaster season this year. When those events happen, the Red Cross will be prepared to be there to provide care and comfort. In order to do that, we need volunteers.
The Red Cross workforce is 90-percent volunteers, so it goes without saying that carrying out the vital work of our organization can only be done if we have a large number of dedicated volunteers.
Right now, more local Disaster Action Team (DAT) members are needed. DAT volunteers provide 24-hour emergency response to local disasters, particularly home fires, ensuring that those affected have access to resources for basic necessities such as food, shelter and clothing. If you are team-oriented and want to help your neighbor, a DAT responder position may be for you.
In Iowa last year, the Red Cross provided immediate emergency assistance to 952 households after 604 home fires and other disasters. In Nebraska last year, the Red Cross provided immediate emergency assistance to 489 households after 305 home fires and other disasters.
Our team is setting up specialized training opportunities for those interested in becoming DAT volunteers. We’re calling them bootcamps, but don’t worry, they aren’t as intense as it may sound. At these bootcamps, our team will help prospective volunteers complete all of the necessary training to become a volunteer.
Does the DAT position not sound like your thing? That’s OK, there are other volunteer positions that we need to fill:
We need new volunteers to support disaster shelters. Volunteers will help with reception, registration, food distribution, dormitory, information collection and other vital tasks inside disaster shelters.
The Red Cross also needs volunteers who can work in disaster shelters to address people’s health needs and provide hands-on care in alignment with their professional licensure (registered nurse and licensed practical nurse/licensed vocational nurse). We have both associate and supervisory level opportunities available. If you are an RN, LPN, LVN, APRN, NP, EMT, paramedic, MD/DO or PA with a current and unencumbered license, this position could be right for you.
Blood donor ambassadors ensure that we can continue to hold blood drives that help us address the current severe blood shortage. Blood donor ambassador help with checking donors in, then assisting them while they are onsite for their donation. If you’ve always wanted to support our blood collection efforts, but can’t donate, this is a great way to be part of our team.
If you want to make a difference and are interested in helping your community should a disaster occur here at home or across the country, please redcross.org/volunteer.
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