Volunteer Opportunities

Disaster Response volunteers can participate in a number of differrent ways:  

Disaster Action Team: Disaster Action Team members respond to local disasters (mainly house fires) and connect with the individuals to begin a casework process, guiding them on their road to recovery.  Volunteers must have access to their own transportation and be willing to sign up to be on-call for 4, 6-hour shifts a month.   

 The Disaster Staffing and Deployment Representative provides support to disaster relief operations by deploying, placing and supporting qualified volunteers into Disaster Relief positions during local and national emergencies.  This position requires strong telephone and organizational skills.  Time commitment varies based on disaster activity. 

Caseworker: Our Caseworkers will follow up with clients affected by disasters and assist them with connections to Red Cross and community based resources.  Casework can be done remotely.  Volunteers must be able to commit to 8 hours a month. 

Sheltering Volunteer: Sheltering volunteers are tasked with helping to set up and/or staff our shelter operations.  As it is a sporadic opportunity, shelter volunteers can also get involved in shelter and feeding surveys.  Shelter volunteers must commit to keeping their shelter training current with Red Cross standards.  While there are no hourly commitments to sheltering, we ask all volunteers to complete at least 2 hours of service a month, which can be accomplished through ongoing training, attending meetings, or participating in other activities (Home Fire Campaign, Blood Drives, etc.) 

Damage Assessment: Damage Assessment volunteers are tasked with travelling to areas that have been affected by disasters and following guidelines to assess the level of damage to property and the financial support which the Red Cross can provide.  Damage Assessment volunteers are on-call and do not have an hourly commitment beyond the 2 hour per month minimum. 

Logistics: Logistic volunteers play an integral role in coordinating supplies and resources before and during times of disaster.  This can include driving our Emergency Response Vehicles, distributing supplies, coordinating shelter trailers, and other resource based needs.  Logistic volunteers are on-call and do not have an hourly commitment beyond the 2 hour per month minimum. 

Government Liaison: Government Liaison volunteers are tasked with representing the Red Cross in Emergency Operation Centers with local and state government during times of disasters.  During non-disaster times, they are expected to attend local government and community based meetings to establish and maintain on-going relationships with Red Cross partners.  Government Liaison volunteers are required to attend a set number of meetings per month and complete Red Cross and FEMA disaster trainings. 

Deployment Opportunities:  Red Cross volunteers have the ability to assume the roles listed above in activities outside of the Cascade Region by deploying to areas in need.  To do so, volunteers are expected to complete the required GAP (Group Activity Position) trainings.  All deployment commitments are at minimum 2-weeks long and volunteers must be able to meet the need requested.