When disaster strikes, the Red Cross stands ready to shelter and feed people until the danger is past, and then to help them rebuild their lives. The Triangle Area Chapter's Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers are on call 24 hours a day to go to the scene of local disasters such as home and apartment fires, tornadoes, transportation accidents and the like. We serve food to victims and rescue workers, if needed, and help those affected obtain what they need most -- for example: temporary shelter, food, clothing, medications and disaster mental health assessments. Assistance is provided based on the level of damage sustained.
In cases of a larger scale disasters affecting hundreds or thousands of people, like a hurricane, winter storm or flood, the Red Cross can mobilize trained disaster workers from around the country on very short notice to help local chapters assist people in need. All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by the voluntary contributions of time and money from the American people.
Disaster Services Volunteer Opportunities
Disaster Services Volunteers serve on disasters in Wake, Franklin, Johnston and Warren, Lee and Chatham counties. They set up and run shelters, conduct feeding operations, perform comprehensive damage assessment surveys, and provide other assistance to victims and emergency workers as needed. In addition, some of the volunteers also serve on either or both of the following special teams.
Disaster Action Team (DAT)
This team responds promptly to all local disasters. The local Emergency Management, Fire Department and/or 911 Dispatch Centers contact the DAT when Red Cross assistance is needed. The DAT volunteers on call go immediately to the scene to provide shelter, food and clothing for the disaster victims, as needed and based on the level of damage sustained.
After successful completion of the background check, DAT volunteers must complete the Introduction to Disaster Services course (4 hours), Fulfilling Our Mission: Turning Compassion into Community Service (3 hours), the Disaster Action Team Workshop (8 hours) and Mass Care Overview (3 hours).
Disaster Services Human Resources System (DSHR)
These volunteers serve on large state and national disasters. Normally you must be able to go on a 3 week assignment. Depending on the scale of the disaster, the deployments may be shorter. State workers are allowed 15 days for state disasters, with the approval of their supervisor. A variety of classes must be taken depending on the service you wish to perform, but all are required to begin with "Introduction to Disaster Services". Everyone in the DSHR System will be associated with a function and an activity. The constituency groups are as follows:
Individual Client Services (CLS)
Mass Care (MC)
Partner Services (PS)
Staff Services (SS)
Material Support Services (MSS)
Information Management Support Services (IMS)
Organization Support Services (OS)
Operations Management (OM)
DSHR Handbook
An organizational chart is available to help you understand the DSHR group and activity structure.
Note: Some companies allow employees time off with pay to serve on state and national disasters. For North Carolina state government employees, the state's Community Service Leave Policy now allows state employees who are "certified Red Cross Disaster Volunteers" 15 days of paid leave in any 12 month period to participate in specialized disaster relief services.
Questions about Disaster Services Volunteering? Email: Tracie Thomason, Client Services Coordinator at thomasont@trianglearc.org or call (919) 277-2809.
When disaster strikes, the Red Cross stands ready to shelter and feed people until the danger is past, and then to help them rebuild their lives. The Triangle Area Chapter's Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers are on call 24 hours a day to go to the scene of local disasters such as home and apartment fires, tornadoes, transportation accidents and the like. We serve food to victims and rescue workers, if needed, and help those affected obtain what they need most -- for example: temporary shelter, food, clothing, medications and disaster mental health assessments. Assistance is provided based on the level of damage sustained.
In cases of a larger scale disasters affecting hundreds or thousands of people, like a hurricane, winter storm or flood, the Red Cross can mobilize trained disaster workers from around the country on very short notice to help local chapters assist people in need. All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by the voluntary contributions of time and money from the American people.
Disaster Services Volunteer Opportunities
Disaster Services Volunteers serve on disasters in Wake, Franklin, Johnston and Warren, Lee and Chatham counties. They set up and run shelters, conduct feeding operations, perform comprehensive damage assessment surveys, and provide other assistance to victims and emergency workers as needed. In addition, some of the volunteers also serve on either or both of the following special teams.
Disaster Action Team (DAT)
This team responds promptly to all local disasters. The local Emergency Management, Fire Department and/or 911 Dispatch Centers contact the DAT when Red Cross assistance is needed. The DAT volunteers on call go immediately to the scene to provide shelter, food and clothing for the disaster victims, as needed and based on the level of damage sustained.
After successful completion of the background check, DAT volunteers must complete the Introduction to Disaster Services course (4 hours), Fulfilling Our Mission: Turning Compassion into Community Service (3 hours), the Disaster Action Team Workshop (8 hours) and Mass Care Overview (3 hours).
Disaster Services Human Resources System (DSHR)
These volunteers serve on large state and national disasters. Normally you must be able to go on a 3 week assignment. Depending on the scale of the disaster, the deployments may be shorter. State workers are allowed 15 days for state disasters, with the approval of their supervisor. A variety of classes must be taken depending on the service you wish to perform, but all are required to begin with "Introduction to Disaster Services". Everyone in the DSHR System will be associated with a function and an activity. The constituency groups are as follows:
Individual Client Services (CLS)
Mass Care (MC)
Partner Services (PS)
Staff Services (SS)
Material Support Services (MSS)
Information Management Support Services (IMS)
Organization Support Services (OS)
Operations Management (OM)
DSHR Handbook
An organizational chart is available to help you understand the DSHR group and activity structure.
Note: Some companies allow employees time off with pay to serve on state and national disasters. For North Carolina state government employees, the state's Community Service Leave Policy now allows state employees who are "certified Red Cross Disaster Volunteers" 15 days of paid leave in any 12 month period to participate in specialized disaster relief services.
Questions about Disaster Services Volunteering? Email: Tracie Thomason, Client Services Coordinator at thomasont@trianglearc.org or call (919) 277-2809.