Disaster Cycle Services - Disaster Action Team

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Target Countie(s): San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Monterey Purpose

This position supports the Regional Disaster Services department. Most of the 60,000 emergencies that the Red Cross responds to each year are local, personal disasters like home fires. Disaster Action Teams (DAT) provide emotional support, financial assistance, and information to help families begin the process of recovery. Disaster Action Team (DAT) Specialists respond to local disasters and provide immediate compassion and care to clients.

• Responsibilities

  DAT/SP-specific Responsibilities:

  • Works as part of an assigned team to respond to local disasters within established timelines defined in the Disaster Action Team Program Standards & Procedures.
  • Maintains regular communication with Duty Officer and other members of the team while assigned to an event to ensure continuity and safety.
  • Provides care, comfort, and compassion to clients (in accordance with Red Cross standards and procedures).
  • Works with on-scene DAT SV/MN to assess whether additional resources/support are required and communicates those needs to DAT Leadership.
  • Completes second responder confirmations in RC Care, the client case management system.
  • Attends regularly scheduled team/DAT meetings as required by Chapter/Region.
  • Maintains RC Care Intake Trainee user access.

  General Responsibilities for all Specialists:

  • Ensure that work is carried out in alignment with our fundamental principles and within established guidelines .
  • Maintain flexibility in a continuously changing environment in which work priorities may change frequently .
  • Collaborate effectively with others in a disaster environment .
  • Efficiently handle time sensitive issues that may arise in area of responsibility .
  • Report the status of assigned responsibilities and tasks as directed .
  • Work independently while following the direction of the direct supervisor .
• Time Commitment

  DAT calls can happen at any time of the day or night. When called upon, the volunteer has the option to respond or not. Preferred commitment on-call 1 shift/week.

• Volunteer FrequencyWeekly Monthly
• Qualifications

  DAT/SP-specific Qualifications (required):

  • Comfortable using and learning new technology.
  • Reliable access to a cell phone (with ability to receive text messages), laptop or computer.
  • Be available to respond reliably to local disasters during assigned shifts in RC Respond, the DAT scheduling system, and communicate scheduling conflicts with DAT Leadership.
  • Must sign up for the minimum number of required shifts per month as determined by the region.
  • Able to follow Red Cross DAT and other related standards and procedures.
  • Commitment to use and maintain user access to RC Care and RC Respond systems as needed.
  • Able to work in challenging and stressful conditions such as poor air quality, uneven ground, adverse weather, etc.
  • Must be 18 years or older.
  • Must have a valid driver's license and/or a timely, reliable way to get to a disaster scene.

  General Qualifications for all Specialists (required):

  • Comfortable working independently and within a team .
  • Ability to work with a broad variety of people with diverse backgrounds .  
  • Ability to have good organizational and time management skills .    
  • Ability to listen actively and work well with others .
  • Ability to function in a dynamic and stressful environment .
  • Ability to appropriately involve others in managing problems and conflict .    
  • Ability to acquire , evaluate, and report information accurately .
  • Willingness to comply with current public health and Red Cross policies .
  • Refer to the Physical Capacity Grid for physical and emotional requirements .
• Development Opportunities

  DAT Service Associate, Caseworker , DAT Duty Officer

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