COMMUNITY RESPONSE TEAM

The Community Response Team (formerly known as Emergency Response) is a chapter-wide, staff and volunteer collaboration designed to utilize every one of our resources to help prepare our community and respond with compassion to their needs.  To make the best use of our resources, we’ve learned that we must have more unified operations and better integrate volunteers and staff that have tended to function separately.

"Red Cross to Improve Community Response" (News Release from 8/8/08)

 Joint Community Response Committee.

To help implement the top priorities of the Community Response Team, we have created the Joint Community Response Committee. We invite you to apply for a position on the committee, click here for an application. The Joint Community Response Committee replaces every existing disaster committee and subcommittee at the chapter. We appreciate the dedication and input provided by past committee members. The new joint committee will be a collaboration between staff and volunteers, led by the five staff Managers in Community Response.  

FAQs & DISASTER VOLUNTEER RESOURCES

Q.  I am not a Red Cross volunteer, but want to help.  How do I start?

A.  The Red Cross trains volunteers all year-round to help others.  When disaster strikes, we deploy trained individuals to respond to the affected area to take care of the particular needs at that time.  Our disaster volunteers who deploy to large scale national disasters such as hurricanes are typically sent for 10 days to 3 weeks at a time.  We would love to have you train with us to have a role in future local, regional, and national responses.  The place to start is with Volunteer Orientation.  We'll guide you from there!

For current Disaster volunteers:

Q.  I am a DAT responder.  How do I report my on-call and standby hours?

A.  Complete the Volunteer Time Sheet and return it to our offices.

Q.   I am a current disaster services volunteer and would like to update my information.  How can I let you know?

A.  For updates on availability, changes in contact information, or general questions, contact DisasterVolunteers@redcrosstc.org or a chapter staff member.  To update your DSHR profile, log in to the DSHR website.  If you are having difficulty logging in, just let us know.

Q.  Which forms do I need to update yearly?

A. Yearly forms:

  Code of Business Ethics and Conduct 

  Personal Statement of Understanding

  Health Status Record - Note: This form is the more detailed health record that is kept in your file for one year.  The pre-deployment health form that you fill out before leaving for a DRO is below.  Please follow those specific instructions for returning that form.

The Health Status Record is also available at the chapter.  As it takes a bit more time to complete, you may wish to print it out and complete it before coming in to have your badge photo taken.  DO NOT RETURN THIS FORM BY EMAIL!  In order to keep your health information confidential, this document needs to be brought into our offices and put in an envelope at the front desk or you can mail it to:

      Red Cross Community Response

      Confidential Health Status Records

      1201 West River Parkway

      Minneapolis, MN  55454

Q.  As a DSHR volunteer, I recieved the Open Request form that lists the current needs.  Is there a key to interpret it?

A.  Group/Activity/Position Definitions will help you interpret the first column.

Hardship Code Definitions is a reference to use as you view the hardship codes assigned to each individual response.  It is crucial to send volunteers who are physically able to perform each function and be able to handle the rigors of the environment in which it is performed.  Each disaster has its own set of circumstances, so please review the hardship codes associated with the response before deploying and ask any questions.  We want you to be safe, and there are many ways we can use your assistance! 

Q.  I have been called by the chapter and have agreed to be deployed to a DRO.  Is there paperwork I can do in advance?

A.  To prepare for deployment: Please print these, complete them, and bring these when you come in to be deployed.   It will save time during the deployment process.  These are required for each DRO, so even if you did them weeks ago for standby for the RNC, please complete them again if you are called on for deployment.

 Pre-Assignment Health Questionnaire

 DRO Registration for DSHR Members

      DSHR Physical Capacity Grid

      Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross Movement

      Red Cross Standards of Conduct for Disaster Relief Workers

Q.  What is the importance of having a barcode on my badge?

A.  This is the new style of DSHR badge that all American Red Cross DSHR and DAT volunteers will be issued in the future.  These will be required for future deployments, so it's a good time to get in and get your updated badge even if you weren't available during the RNC.

Q.  I have questions about training.  Who can I talk to?

A.  Email your training questions and requests to DisasterTraining@redcrosstc.org.

Q. Where can I find other forms?

A.   DSHR Enrollment Application

Thank you for your continued support!