Critical Need for Volunteers as Large Disasters Hit from Coast to Coast

Massive disasters have been plaguing the country since 2023 began and just ahead are what are predicted to be active hurricane and wildfire seasons. With the American Red Cross workforce made up of 90 percent volunteers, there is a critical need for more individuals to volunteer so we can support people who depend on the Red Cross for help.

Thousands of American Red Cross volunteers from all over the country have been helping people from coast to coast since the start of the year, supporting thousands of people impacted by flooding, blizzards, severe weather and, most recently, deadly tornadoes.

More than 1,700 trained disaster workers have deployed to help people in California impacted by historic flooding and snowstorms. In the last week, as many as 800 Red Cross volunteers have answered the call to help after the recent devastating storms and tornadoes that struck the South and Midwest. More tornadoes are possible this week and the Red Cross is preparing to send more help into the affected regions.

CRITICAL NEED FOR VOLUNTEERS

The Red Cross is now launching nearly twice as many relief operations for major disasters than we did a decade ago. We need to increase our volunteer capacity so we can continue responding on a near-constant basis.

As we head into the spring, the Red Cross is working to grow our disaster workforce as we get ready for the upcoming hurricane and wildfire seasons. Spring into action and join us by becoming a volunteer today.

We are actively recruiting and scheduling training for the following critical volunteer roles:

• Shelter Support Team: Supports the day-to-day activities within a shelter. May include working in reception, registration, feeding, dormitory, information or other areas.
• Disaster Health Services Team: Licensed healthcare professionals provide hands-on care, health education, health assessments and additional health-related support in shelters.
• Disaster Action Team (DAT): Respond to local disasters such as home fires to ensure that those affected have access to resources for necessities such as food, shelter and clothing.
• Recovery Client Care Program Service Associate: Supports disaster-caused needs of individuals and families with casework and recovery planning by matching Red Cross and community resources and assistance to these needs.
  
  

The need to help during disasters has never been greater. Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday to sign up for opportunities with your local chapter. Learn more about our most-needed volunteer positions and talk with a Red Cross representative at this virtual volunteer information session on April 18 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. ET. Register today.