| Home
> Volunteer > Ready When the
Time Comes
READY
WHEN THE TIME COMES
READY WHEN THE TIME COMES (RWTC) is a program of the American
Red Cross that provides volunteers from partner companies and
community organizations to be immediately ready to help in the
time of a local, large scale disaster. RWTC volunteers
serve as “reserves” that can be called up when disaster
response requires more than the normal corps of local disaster
volunteers.
It’s a win-win for the American Red Cross of Greater
Columbus (ARCGC) and partnering organizations. It helps the
Red Cross build capacity to respond to local disaster,
businesses build teamwork and employee morale, and communities
become safer places to work and live.
WHY IS READY WHEN THE TIME COMES NEEDED?
Each
year, the American Red Cross responds to more than 70,000
disaster incidents – hurricanes, fires, storms, floods,
tornados, explosions, etc. – serving those affected with
shelter, mass care and financial assistance.
This requires not only Red Cross employees and trained
disaster volunteers but also specially trained, quickly
mobilized volunteers who can fill specific needs. RWTC
is designed to recruit and prepare those volunteers.
HOW DOES READY WHEN THE TIME COMES WORK?
Companies
and community organizations partner with the ARCGC, recruiting
employees and members as volunteers who then are trained by
the ARCGC as disaster response volunteers. RWTC partners
commit to making these volunteers available for service at
least one day per year. When a local, large scale disaster
occurs, the Red Cross contacts their RWTC liaisons, who then
in turn call their RWTC employee volunteers into action. The
ARCGC then assumes responsibility for their deployment and
management. Partners are not required to send volunteers.
All assignments are voluntary.
RWTC
volunteers are trained in the following areas of service:
- Mass Care
- Sheltering
- Logistics
- Disaster Assessment
WHAT IS REQUIRED OF RWTC PARTNERS AND VOLUNTEERS?
- Must recruit a minimum of 10 volunteers;
- Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age;
- Must sign a Statement
of Understanding,
the content of which is jointly developed with the
chapter, which helps establish the partnership;
- Must identify
primary and secondary coordinators who can be available
24/7 as contacts for the chapter and, in turn, to activate
their volunteer teams;
- Take the lead in
recruiting employees, members or parishioners as
volunteers to fill specific needs identified by the
chapter;
- Volunteers must participate in
Red Cross-provided training, be prepared to deploy within
24 hours when requested, and participate in at least one
annual disaster drill and, volunteers must agree to a
mandatory ARC background check.
WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?
Companies
and community organizations are asked to commit to the program
for one year.
HOW WILL RWTC PARTNERS BE RECOGNIZED?
Names and logos will be added to RWTC
marketing materials.
Included in media coverage and other promotional
activities.
- Recognition at
annual event
Recognized at an annual volunteer recognition
event.
HOW DO I BECOME A RWTC PARTNER?
Contact
Jennifer Kunz, Ready When the Time Comes Coordinator, at
253-2740 ext. 2561 or KunzJ@usa.redcross.org
|
Local
Lead Sponsor
Partner
Companies
Abbott
Nutrition
Ashville
Kiwanis
Club
Berwick
Kiwanis Club
Circleville
Kiwanis
FCBMRDD
KPMG
Limited Brands
Peace
Lutheran Church
Program
Contact
Jennifer
Kunz
614.253.2740 ext. 2561
kunzj@usa.redcross.org
| 
