Red Cross disaster volunteers serve our neighbors in need every day. They’re installing smoke alarms and on the scene of home fires. They’re also responding to major disasters like Hurricanes Ida. The Red Cross is seeking disaster volunteers to help deliver its mission in the community and will host a free disaster volunteer training boot camp training on October 23, 2021 in Greenville and Rocky Mount, North Carolina, as well as offering a session virtually.
The course will teach interested volunteers about the role of the Red Cross during disasters (big and small), and how to work alongside clients, first responders, the public, and partner organizations. Participants will complete their training with a disaster simulation drill.
The Disaster Action Team Boot Camp will be held at two different in-person locations, as well as one virtual session via Microsoft Teams, on Saturday, October 23, 2021, 8am-6pm.
- Greenville: Koinonia Christian Center, 1405 SW Greenville Blvd, Greenville, NC (lunch provided)
- Rocky Mount: Station Square, 301 S. Church St., Rocky Mount, NC (lunch provided)
- Virtual: Microsoft Teams-link will be provided to registrants prior to the event
This training is open to the public. Sign up to learn more about becoming a Red Cross Disaster Action Team Member. Following course completion, registered volunteers will be certified as Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers.
Participants will:
- Learn the role and values for engaging with disaster clients, first responders, and the public
- Understand functions of the DAT and expectations for volunteers on a response
- Discover roles a DAT volunteer may perform on a large-scale disaster response
- Learn casework and recovery planning processes and the system used
- Learn how direct client assistance is issued and how referrals are made to community partners
- Complete a simulation drill, practicing the skills learned during the sessions
Sign up for training boot camp (RSVP required by October 21) at bit.ly/datbootcamp or contact Elisabeth Grant via email at elisabeth.grant@redcross.org or call 252.933.7386..
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, 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 deliver its mission. For more information, visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org.
Source: Elisabeth Grant, Red Cross-Eastern North Carolina Region
