Most of the 65,000 emergencies that the Red Cross responds to each year are local, personal disasters like home fires. They may not make the news, but we know they are just as devastating to the families affected. Trained and available, Disaster Action Team volunteers are ready to respond to these emergencies, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. From offering a shoulder to cry on, to meeting any immediate needs for shelter or supplies, to connecting people with long term recovery services, our volunteers ensure that families don’t have to face tough times alone.
Home fires and other disasters can occur any time, any place. As a Disaster Action Team volunteer, you’ll provide emotional support, financial assistance, and information to help families begin the process of recovery. After your initial training, your shifts will include responding to emergencies within 2 hours, night or day, rain or shine, either on the scene or coordinating remotely to provide immediate compassion and care. With experience and further training you can take on leadership and response coordination roles to have a wider impact. At the same time, you’ll be developing skills that you may choose to apply to larger-scale disaster response efforts with the Red Cross.
Note: the volunteer positions available to you will vary depending on your location and the needs of your local community.
It is humbling to wrap a blanket around someone who has just lost their home to a fire. In that moment YOU are safety and comfort and hope. You provide the first step to their becoming whole again by making sure they have somewhere to go and food to eat. The inconvenience of getting out of bed or changing your plans to respond quickly fades when you realize that your assistance means this family will not be homeless tonight.
– Disaster Action Team Member
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
