Disaster Training

The Red Cross depends on its trained volunteers to respond to both local and national disasters. National disasters get extensive media coverage, but your local chapter responds to many local disasters that the public doesn’t know about.

Red Cross certified Disaster Action Teams respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week to local emergencies, tailoring each response to the specific incident.

You, too, can be a trained disaster volunteer! Many courses are offered online. For information on beginning your training program, call (704) 283-7402.

Disaster Services: An Overview

This instructor-led, basic level course provides an introduction to disaster services at the American Red Cross. Participants learn ways to help their community prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies and disasters. Participants also learn about volunteer opportunities at their local Red Cross chapter.

Shelter Operations

This course prepares you to effectively manage shelter operations as a team to meet the needs of disaster clients. Participants learn the skills needed to work within shelters. This is a required course for all disaster volunteers.

Disaster Action Team (DAT) Workshop

This course provides training to respond to single family fires and other disasters as a DAT member. Shelter Operations, Mass Care Overview and Family Services are required to be a DAT member with six months of membership.

Disaster Assessment

This course prepares you to conduct the damage assessment used as the bases for Red Cross family assistance. The first segment training is online.

Client Casework: Providing Emergency Assistance

This course prepares you as a volunteer to provide financial support for disaster clients using effective client interviews and appropriate assistance to help meet a client’s immediate disaster-caused needs.

ERV: Ready, Set, Roll

This course prepares volunteers to safely and effectively use an Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) and its equipment to meet feeding and other service needs of people affected by disaster. Six participants are needed to offer class.