American Red Cross Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are the heart of the American Red Cross. Help make a difference in the lives of others!
ARMED FORCES EMERGENCY SERVICES
Armed Forces Emergency Services Caseworkers
Assist military families by providing emergency communications. Volunteers are needed one morning or afternoon each week. Understanding or familiarity with military terms and organization is an asset.
Armed
Forces Emergency Services Caseworker (After Hours)
Rewarding opportunity to assist military families. Looking for volunteers to
provide emergency communications for members of the Armed Forces and their
families during non-standard working hours. Volunteers work from home using
laptop computer and phone provided by Chapter. Volunteers work one 8 hour shift
per week. Training provided. For more information call the American Red Cross
today at (253) 474-0400 or by e-mail at volunteer@arctacoma.org.
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program sponsored by the American Red Cross, mobilizes volunteers who are 55 years and older and provides the vital link to connect a lifetime of talents and skills in worthwhile activities to meet a multitude of needs in the community.
Special Events
Volunteers are needed on a short-term basis several times each year to assist with the Gardens of Tacoma Tour, Every Penny Counts Campaign, Real Heroes Breakfast, and other one-day events. Sign up to help one weekend or one day out of the year.
Data Entry
Looking for a flexible volunteer opportunity? Looking for people with skills in data entry and database experience to support the Financial Development office.
Disaster Action Team (DAT) (Member in Training) (MIT)
Disaster Services needs volunteers who can immediately respond to local disaster scenes as assigned by a Disaster Specialist. The MIT will be on-call 7 days per month. Disaster Services is looking for volunteers to form daytime and after-hours response teams. DAT MITs are mentored by Responders who provide services directly or indirectly to disaster clients by providing emergency assistance such as food, clothing, and shelter through appropriate use of ARC documents and forms; effectively communicate availability and schedule needs to Disaster Specialist; and operate within established fiscal controls.
Qualifications: strong organizational skills, strong verbal and written communications skills, flexible schedule, ability to prioritize and delegate, and familiarity with Red Cross policies, regulations and procedures within the Family Service function.
Disaster Action Team (DAT) Responder
Disaster Services needs volunteers who can immediately respond to local disaster scenes as assigned by a Disaster Specialist. The volunteer will be on-call a minimum of 4 days per month. Disaster Services is looking for volunteers to form daytime and after-hours response teams. DAT responders provide services directly or indirectly to disaster clients by providing emergency assistance such as food, clothing, and shelter through appropriate use of ARC documents and forms; effectively communicate availability and schedule needs to Disaster Specialist; and operate within established fiscal controls.
Qualifications: strong organizational skills, strong verbal and written communications skills, flexible schedule, ability to prioritize and delegate, and familiarity with Red Cross policies, regulations and procedures for the Family Service function.
Presenter- Community Disaster Education
Do you enjoy public speaking and educating others? Disaster Services has the volunteer opportunity for you. Disaster Services is looking for volunteers to promote and conduct disaster education presentations. The Red Cross will provide three training classes and two recommended training classes. Each presentation takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes and presenters are asked to make a minimum of 2 presentations per month, as well as attending several meetings.
Presenters are needed for both day time and evening presentations.
Event Vehicle Coordinator/Driver
The purpose of this position is to schedule volunteers to drive ARC vehicles in community events (not disaster response activity) that increases ARC visibility. The volunteer will contact and schedule qualified drivers and keep track of who works which events and when their first aid and CPR certifications expire. The volunteer must be able to work independently and have regular (at least 3-4 times a week) access to e-mail. The position can be short-term project, ongoing, on-call, or set schedule.
Qualifications: Current WA State Drivers License with no moving violations for the past 3 years, Red Cross First Aid Certification
Spiritual Care Team Member
The purpose of this position is to assist in providing disaster victims the spiritual support they request. The volunteer must be certified from one of the following: Association of Professional Chaplains, National Association of Catholic Chaplains, Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, National Association of Jewish Chaplains, or International Conference of Police Chaplains. The volunteer must be able to be inclusive of all faiths, and be able to think clearly and act appropriately and compassionately during a crisis. This position is primarily on-call.
Spiritual Team Leader
The volunteer in this position will be a professionally certified chaplain and assist in providing disaster victims the spiritual support they request by managing a Spiritual Care Team. The responsibilities may include supervising Spiritual Care Team members, determining the number of chaplains needed in a disaster, and overseeing the progress of the Team during a disaster. This volunteer will need to carry and respond to a pager and a cell phone and respond as requested to various service deliver locations in a timely manner.
Spiritual Care Team Dispatcher
The purpose of this position is to assist in providing victims the spiritual support they request by identifying appropriate Spiritual Care team members to respond during a disaster. This volunteer must be a professionally certified chaplain who can carry and respond to a pager and a cell phone on a rotating schedule. When paged, the dispatcher will identify the appropriate team to respond to the request for services, notify the team leader, then call in team members when needed. This position is primarily on-call shift work, and includes quarterly Spiritual Care Team meetings.
Disaster Health Services Disaster Action Team (DAT) Member
This position requires a current license for RN, LPN, MD, OD; certification for MA or EMT, or current enrollment in an accredited school of nursing. Its purpose is to provide a resource of medical knowledge and assistance for DATs working with medically complex clients. Responsibilities may include keeping the list of medical vendors and pharmacies updated, and working with health and social agencies such as DSHS, SSI, or WA Coalition of People with Disabilities to provide services to victims of disasters. The volunteer will provide support for any questions or problems related to a client’s health, and be a member of an on-call for a specific DAT one week out of six. This includes responding to the scene of a disaster and fulfilling all duties of a DAT Responder.
Disaster Health Services Family Services Support
Responsibilities for this volunteer position include keeping the list of medical vendors and pharmacies updated, working with health and social agencies to provide service to victims of disasters, and working with Family Services to provide funeral service and condolence calls when there has been a disaster-related death. The volunteer must carry and respond to a pager and/or cellular phone. Qualifications are: current license for RN, LPN, MD, OD; certification for MA or EMT, or current enrollment in an accredited school of nursing. Must be a member of the Mass Care Response Team.
Disaster Health Services Shelter Medical Personnel
The purpose of the shelter medical personnel position is to provide medical support to shelter clients and staff. The volunteer inspects shelters for safety and sanitation, evaluates medical needs of clients and staff, and assesses appropriateness of shelter conditions regarding clients with special health care needs – recommending hotel rooms as needed, and refers clients to community resources as needed including emergency treatment. Qualifications are: current license for RN, LPN, MD, OD; certification for MA or EMT, or current enrollment in an accredited school of nursing. The position is on-call. Must be a member of the Mass Care Response Team.
Disaster Health Services Chairperson
The Chairperson will update protocols and budget as needed; develop and foster agreements with health and social agencies; recruit nurses, nursing students and other health care professionals for the function; ensure an ARC presence at all DHS relevant meetings in the community, foster public awareness of DHS through outreach to various community organizations; provide technical guidance for all DHS volunteer positions; carry and respond to a pager and cell phone. A current license for RN, LPN, MD or OD is required. The volunteer must have served for at least 6 months in one or more of the DHS volunteer positions. This position has a one year commitment of one to two office hours per week and on-call status.
Mass Care Response Team Member
Mass Care Response Teams are on call to initiate feeding and sheltering responses in Pierce County. There are two teams that rotate being on-call every other week, and the minimum commitment for a team member is to be available one week a month.
Qualifications: Must have taken: Intro to Disaster, Mass Care, Shelter Operations and Shelter Simulation
Disaster Action Team (DAT) Public Affairs Officer
This volunteer will provide on-site Public Affairs support for all local Disaster Action Team (DAT) call-outs. Must be on-call and available one week out of four as a member of the DAT team. The responsibilities include being reliable, must be articulate and able to sort and organize information from various sources; writing news summaries; doing live and taped interviews; and taking photographs; independent transportation is a must. Time commitment: Ongoing; must commit to serving on-call one week out of four as member of DAT.
Training Drills and Exercises Committee
Disaster Services is looking for volunteers to organize events for other volunteers that will establish and build essential disaster response skills. This position will provide an avenue for volunteers to utilize their skills through drills and exercises. Experience in organizing events is helpful.
Disaster Mental Health Responder
When requested, this volunteer will respond to the disaster caused mental health needs of the community. Primary work involves conducting defusings and debriefings on an on-call schedule for a minimum of 7 days a month. This volunteer must be a licensed Washington State mental health professional.
Disaster Mental Health (DMH) Disaster Action Team (DAT) Member
This volunteer will be a member of a DAT and respond to the disaster caused mental health needs of Red Cross clients and paid and volunteer staff returning from out of the area disaster assignments. When requested, DMH will conduct debriefings and defusings on an on-call schedule minimum of 7 days a month. Generally this is after-hours. A Washington State license as a mental health professional is a requirement.
Communications / Dispatch
Establishes and maintains communications systems within a disaster relief operation including telephone, wire service, radio, and other technology. Serves as liaison with voluntary groups providing such services to the disaster relief operation.
Damage Assessment Team
Determines the size and scope of a disaster and the level of damage sustained by dwellings within the affected area. Develops and distributes statistical data related to the effects of a disaster and demographics of affected populations.
Family Services
Caring volunteers needed to delivers emergency assistance to affected individuals and families and provides additional resource contacts to community agencies. Determine immediate emergency needs and provides additional assistance when necessary. Social work experience is a plus.
Liaison
Establishes and maintains working relationships between the chapter and other local community organizations to facilitate efficient use of resources and provide vital communications link during the recovery. Examples include other American Red Cross chapters, labor unions, community organizations, human and social service agencies, and public officials.
Logistics Team
Procures and distributes supplies and materials required for disaster relief operation. Establishes and operates warehouses including the transportation, organization and storage of relief supplies; manages and maintains all vehicles used on or in support of the operation; establishes a courier and shuttle service; acquires and maintains facilities. Ability to operate a forklift and lift heavy objects is a plus.
Public Affairs
Provides information about American Red Cross services available to the people affected by disasters and to the general public about disaster relief efforts. Serves as Red Cross liaison / representative to the media.
Shelter Team (Mass Care)
Manages shelter facilities and food services for displaced residents and relief workers during a disaster operation. Provides bulk distribution of supplies and commodities to the individuals and families affected by the disaster. Duties may include registration, feeding, and arranging sleeping areas. Volunteers with the ability to work with diverse populations in sometimes difficult and stressful conditions are needed.
Staffing/Local Volunteers
Recruits, places, administers, supports, and recognizes paid and volunteer staff assigned to the disaster relief operation.
Quilters
Do you love to sew? Use your skills and talents to help those in need. Every Monday, the Red Cross Quilters meet and sew blankets for families who have been affected by a disaster. Sewing machines are available and all materials are donated.
Health & Safety Instructors
Teach someone how to save a life! When emergency strikes, every second counts. Health & Safety Instructors are needed to teach First Aid & CPR, HIV / AIDS Prevention Education, Babysitter’s Training, and Pet First Aid. Volunteers with bilingual skills are also needed. Help make our community a safer place to live.
Web Site Development
Individuals experienced with Flash, advanced web design, database management, multimedia, and/or graphic design are needed. We are looking for innovative ways to communicate our services to Pierce County residents.