Position Title

Service to Military Families (SMF) Presenter

Purpose

The Red Cross provides support to members of the Armed Services and their families through a variety of services. Volunteers provide short introductory public presentations to interested community groups on the basics of SMF and International Services.

• Ability to speak/present to groups

• Knowledge of Red Cross history and purpose  

• Understanding of Congressional mandate to provide services to members of the Armed Forces

• Punctual, dependable

• Neat personal appearance

• Must have own transportation 

Training 

Time Commitment

Position Title

Disaster Action Team Member

Purpose

Provide 24-hour emergency response to local disasters, particularly home fires, ensuring that those affected have basic necessities such as food, shelter and clothing.  Volunteers drive to the scene in a Red Cross vehicle supplied with a variety of relief equipment.  At the scene they report to the official in charge, assess the situation and initiate the appropriate Red Cross assistance.

• Be at least 16 years old*

• Have a telephone at home

• Have a valid driver’s license

• Willing to respond in all types of weather

• Good verbal and written communication skills 

Some members of the Disaster Action Team are also enrolled in the Disaster Services Human Resources System making them eligible for disaster relief assignments outside of greater Columbus.  Ask your Emergency Services supervisor about these opportunities.  

* Youth DAT members must have parental consent on file

Training 

Time Commitment

Minimum 2 shifts per month (1 shift = 12 hours, on-call)

Weekday shifts are Sun – Th, 6 pm – 5 am; 5 am – 6 pm; Weekend shifts are Friday 6 pm – Sat. 6 pm; Sat. 6 pm - Sunday 6 pm

Attendance at monthly DAT meetings, 1st Tuesdays at 6:30 pm.

Position Title

Dispatcher

Purpose

Be an integral part of the Disaster Action Team (DAT) and help the community from the comfort of your home. As a Disaster Services Dispatcher, you will receive incoming calls from first responders after business hours (Monday -Thursday, 5 p.m. – 8:30 a.m.) and Weekends (Friday 5 p.m. – Monday 8:30 a.m.). The Dispatcher activates the local DAT team to respond to disasters and provides communication to the administrative team.

Qualifications

• Able to speak clearly

• Sound decision making skills

• Able to maintain confidentiality

• Minimum Age: 18  

Training

• Introduction to Disaster Services

• Disaster Action Team Orientation

• Family Services: Providing Emergency Assistance

• Mass Care Overview  

Training classes are required for each function of disaster response, are offered at no cost, and are ongoing throughout the year. Click here to view the Emergency Services course schedule.

Time Commitment

Purpose

Be part of the team that helps build the Columbus Chapter’s capacity to respond to disaster. As a Preparedness Team Member, you will assist with disaster response planning and exercises, keep supplies and inventory stocked, and organizational agreements up to date. Being prepared is essential to lessen the impact disasters have on our families, our neighborhoods, our community.

• Strong organizational and communication skills

• Computer experience desired for certain projects

• Ability to work as a team and accept direction from others

Training

• Introduction to Disaster Services

• Other courses as appropriate for tasks 

Training classes are required for each function of disaster response, are offered at no cost, and are ongoing throughout the year. Click here to view the Emergency Services course schedule.

Time Commitment

Purpose

Participate in the Safe Homes Safe Families campaign and help prevent residential fires in our communities. Nationally, over 3,000 people are killed and 17,000 injured making residential fires the deadliest disaster in the nation, killing more Americans each year than all natural disasters combined. In our community, the ARC answers to more than 300 house fires each year.

 We need your help! Volunteers are needed to educate individuals living in neighborhoods of high fire incidents on fire safety and prevention. Groups of volunteers walk door-to-door. Volunteers are NOT required to enter homes or initiate conversation.

Qualifications

• Must be able to walk or stand for two hours

• Must be comfortable in various neighborhoods within the City of Columbus

• Positive personal appearance; pleasant and positive attitude

• Driver’s license or transportation to Chapter

• Young people welcome; Ages 12-14 must be accompanied by designated adult guardian; 16-17 must have a signed permission slip on file

Time Commitment

Position Title

Family Services Caseworker

Purpose

Be a caring presence to neighbors in need.  Family Services caseworkers interview people affected by disaster, determine their disaster-related needs, and provide Red Cross assistance to them.  Work is carried out at our building, or sometimes on the scene of a disaster.

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to work quickly and follow supervisory instruction

• Computer literacy preferred

• Minimum age: 18

Training

• Introduction to Disaster Services

• Family Services: Providing Emergency Assistance

• DAT Orientation

Training classes are required for each function of disaster response, are offered at no cost, and are ongoing throughout the year. Click here to view the Emergency Services course schedule.

Time Commitment