NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Catherine Rabenstine | Regional Marketing Manager | catherine.rabenstine@redcross.org
312-729-6208 (Office) | 608-443-7376 (Cell) | 24/7 Media Line: (312) 907-0520
American Red Cross Recruiting Volunteers to Join the Disaster Action Team (DAT)
Two-day workshop designed specifically for new volunteer disaster responders. Join us for Fast Track to DAT on February 25 & 26.
CHICAGO, IL (February 7, 2017) - The American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois is recruiting new volunteers to join its Disaster Action Team (DAT). DAT volunteers respond to local disasters, like home fires, offering affected families immediate support on what may be one of the worst days in their life. Anyone interested in learning how to help their community members in times of great need is encouraged to attend.
The two-day training workshop designed specifically for those interested in becoming disaster responders will be offered on Saturday, Feb. 25 and Sunday, Feb. 26 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Greater Chicago headquarters, The Rauner Center, 2200 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612. To register or for more info, contact sentira.turner@redcross.org or 312-350-1114. The training is free and open to the public. Registration is due on Friday, February 17.
“Disaster Action Team members are a core part of the Red Cross,” said Celena Roldan, CEO of the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois. “We could not do our work without them. If you are interested in directly helping your community, this is a great opportunity.”
About Disaster Action Team Volunteers
Across the 21-county region the Red Cross serves in northern Illinois, volunteers respond to 3 to 4 home fires every day, assisting more than 1,400 families affected each year in our local communities. After a disaster, DAT volunteers provide comfort to affected families with assistance for food, shelter, clothing, health services and emotional support. DAT teams also respond to large-scale disasters.
About Fast Track to DAT Training
The first day of the training is geared to those who are new to disaster response. Participants will learn what to do at the scene of a home fire and other types of responses. Attendees should have an interest in volunteering, but do not need to have any experience. The second day of training will provide more specific information on shelter management and psychological first aid for volunteers who would like to become Volunteer Leads.
About the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois:
The American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois serves 9.5 million people in 21 counties in Northern Illinois including Boone, Bureau, Carroll, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Jo Daviess, LaSalle, Lake, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Putnam, Stephenson, Whiteside, Will and Winnebago. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit us at redcross.org/il/chicago or visit us on Twitter at @ChicagoRedCross.