Volunteer Opportunities

Key Responsibilities

1. Assist disaster clients to utilize their own spiritual resources, values and faith in the midst of crisis, regardless of one's faith tradition.
2. Participate in local responses, such as providing support to a family who has experienced a house fire.
3. Be involved in preparedness efforts, such as the Home Fire Campaign or community disaster education.
4. Assist the chapter in developing partnerships with local faith-based organizations.
5. Facilitate long-term recovery for clients by providing spiritual and emotional support, and connection to local resources.
6. Be available for staff who request spiritual care support.

Qualifications

Required:

• Willingness to comply with Red Cross COVID-19 policies for in-person volunteer activities. 
• Meets one of the following criteria:
  • A disaster spiritual care provider in good standing in a National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) member organization
  • A Board-certified chaplain
  • A professional chaplain (paid or volunteer) and is endorsed by that organization
  • An endorsed leader of a local faith community or organization
• Successfully complete the DSC Screening evaluation conducted by a DSC Regional Program Lead or DSC Division Advisor for new DSC Volunteers.

Training

Required:

• Disaster Cycle Services: An Overview
• Disaster Spiritual Care: Introduction
• Disaster Spiritual Care Fundamentals
• Psychological First Aid: Helping Others in Times of Stress
• Disaster Action Team Fundamentals

Should the Individual Disaster Care team member desire to be a fully functional DAT responder the following training will be required:

• Detailed Damage Assessment for Disaster Action Team Response Operations

Recommended:

• RC Care while not required for team members, is highly recommended.
• Client Care Program: Document Review for Intake Workers
• Mass Care: An Overview
• Shelter Fundamentals v2
• Current Red Cross Basic Life Support or CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer (AHA)