HOW TO: Become a Red Cross Volunteer

Posted on October 6th, 2008 by Wendy Harman

Have you ever wondered exactly how you can become one of those 20,000 volunteers you saw helping during Hurricanes Gustav and Ike?

Here are step-by-step instructions for joining the club:

1. Watch this Introduction to Disaster Services Video

2. Find your closest local chapter by entering your zip code in this yellow box

3. Contact that chapter by phone, email, or in person visit

4. Say, “How do I sign up to be a volunteer?”

5. Your chapter will have you fill out some basic paperwork. You’ll tell them what your interests are, and you’ll evaluate your commitment level together.

6. At this point you’ll have 2 choices:

  • Get trained by your chapter to become a local disaster response volunteer (you’ll respond to local house fires, etc)
  • Get trained by your chapter to become a part of National Disaster Relief. For this, you’ll need to enter the Disaster Services Human Resources (DSHR) system. When a major disaster happens and you’re in the DSHR, you’ll be called to deploy.

RESOURCES

DSHR Enrollment

Member Applicant Record

Health Status Record

Personal Statement of Understanding


Filed under: Disaster Response, Volunteers

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6 Responses to “HOW TO: Become a Red Cross Volunteer”

  1. Can You Hand a Bottle of Water to Another Person? You Can Be a Volunteer, on October 9th, 2008 at 1:17 pm Said:

    [...] She says one way for you to get prepared is by becoming a Red Cross Volunteer. [...]

  2. Red Cross @ 0-Dark-Hundred: Disaster Action Volunteers, on October 17th, 2008 at 6:04 pm Said:

    [...] Become a Disaster Response Volunteer for your local chapter. [...]

  3. DAT Diaries:The Fire & the Storm, on October 20th, 2008 at 2:45 pm Said:

    [...] Get on a Disaster Action Team for your chapter [...]

  4. What Does a Home Fire Look Like?, on February 24th, 2009 at 4:27 pm Said:

    [...] Do you want to become a Disaster Action Team member? Take a look at our How To. [...]

  5. Kurt Hippchen, on April 20th, 2009 at 3:37 pm Said:

    Would like to know more info. Kurt Hippchen 1765 kren, Argyle, Tx 76226 Cell # 214-906-8489

  6. » What We’re Reading: Funky Lunch, on August 10th, 2009 at 9:13 pm Said:

    [...] Interested in becoming an American Red Cross disaster volunteer? Read our how-to. [...]

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