Needs From: United Way of Northeast Florida

Volunteer with the American Red Cross and participate in all DAT program support and capacity building activities necessary to ensure effective service delivery during a DAT response.  

Must be able to: Follow and execute requests received from supervisor with little or no supervision. • Adapt to change, negotiate compromise and tolerate ambiguity. • Build effective relationships with others who can help with work-related goals. Team member may work towards the DAT Service Associate response position.

Disaster Action Teams provide 24-hour emergency response to local disasters, particularly house fires, ensuring that those affected have access to resources for basic necessities such as food, shelter and clothing. This position is responsible for the tasks involved in the Disaster Action Team program including:

1. Supporting the annual goals, RDO objectives, and regional/chapter plan for DAT services through participation in meetings, projects, and local response activities.

2. Completes all required training and maintains current training standard as DAT program requirements change.

3. Attends regular team meetings and training as required by the region/territory.

4. Completes assigned projects and local response activities according to the needs of the DAT program. (Preparing vehicles, response materials, administrative support of the DAT program and other tasks assigned by the DAT Leader.

Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteers are the heart of American Red Cross disaster relief efforts. DAT members respond immediately to a disaster when called by emergency dispatch. Specially trained DAT volunteers assess the scope of the damage and meet with the affected family or families to determine their immediate disaster-related needs and ensure that those needs are met. Depending upon their individual needs, the Red Cross can provide assistance to disaster victims, helping them secure shelter, food, clothing, medical needs and mental health counseling.

Necessary Attributes:

• The willingness and availability to respond to emergencies anytime during their self-selected "on-call" shift • A sensitivity to people's needs in difficult situations
• The ability to work objectively and compassionately with diverse individuals
• Respect and concern for the people you serve and work with

• The ability to maintain confidentiality
• The ability to work well in a "team" environment
• DAT training is free, part of the American Red Cross disaster preparedness training. For more information on the classes that need to be taken to become a DAT member, see our course schedule.

Get trained to help provide direct services: e.g. local Disaster Actions Teams (DAT) , Health Fairs, volunteer in military clinics an hospitals, promoting blood collection team, first aid stationing.

Get trained in specialized disaster counseling skills and the travel to disasters to help victims and relief workers deal with the trauma and stresses of disaster. 

Community Outreach Volunteers (Presenters and instructors) 

Represent the Red Cross in your community at fairs, festivals, and other special events.

Educate the public about our lifesaving work, and share ways individuals can get involved. 

During disasters, tell the Red Cross story to your community.

Be an online advocate and tell the mission of the Red Cross.

Get trained to respond to the local or national disaster relief efforts.

Disaster responders meet the needs of those clinics and hospitals, promoting blood collection team, first aid stations. 

ECS is seeking volunteers who don't mind getting their hands dirty to help with cleanup outside of our facilities after local weather disasters occur. Our children are our first priority and hazardous facility conditions are a hindrance to their ability to return to school. So, it is important to complete post-disaster cleanup and repairs as soon as possible. We have outside projects available and there are many centers to choose from. Level 2 background screening may be required for long-term projects.

Florida Department of Health in Duval County Emergency Preparedness Office needs Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Medical Assistant (MA) volunteers to assist our Special Needs clients with performing their daily activities like having meals and using the restroom. They also assist the nursing staff.

These positions are needed during natural disasters and other emergencies when evacuation to local shelters is necessary. Volunteers will serve at one of four sites around the county.

Those signing up for this opportunity will be added to a list of potential volunteers to be called up in the event shelters are opened.

For more information, please contact Kynda Hancock at 904-253-1026.

Florida Department of Health in Duval County Emergency Preparedness Office needs Nurse volunteers to assist with medication administration, nursing assessments, wound management, and other limited medical needs.

These positions are needed during natural disasters and other emergencies when evacuation to local shelters is necessary. Volunteers will serve at one of four sites around the county.

Those signing up for this opportunity will be added to a list of potential volunteers to be called up in the event shelters are opened.

For more information, please contact Kynda Hancock at 904-253-1026.

Florida Department of Health in Duval County Emergency Preparedness Office needs Respiratory Therapist volunteers to assist with oxygen dependent clients.

These positions are needed during natural disasters and other emergencies when evacuation to local shelters is necessary. Volunteers will serve at one of four sites around the county.

Those signing up for this opportunity will be added to a list of potential volunteers to be called up in the event shelters are opened.

For more information, please contact Kynda Hancock at 904-253-1026.

Florida Department of Health in Duval County Emergency Preparedness Office needs Social Worker volunteers to assist with Mental Health First Aid, Alzheimer/Dementia clients, Autism clients, developmentally delayed clients, and others.

These positions are needed during natural disasters and other emergencies when evacuation to local shelters is necessary. Volunteers will serve at one of four sites around the county.

Those signing up for this opportunity will be added to a list of potential volunteers to be called up in the event shelters are opened.

For more information, please contact Kynda Hancock at 904-253-1026.

Florida Department of Health in Duval County Emergency Preparedness Office needs General Community volunteers. These non-clinical staff need to be supportive to clients in non-clinical ways: be a companion, provide conversations, assist with pets, read, play games, and be generally upbeat.

These positions are needed during natural disasters and other emergencies when evacuation to local shelters is necessary. Volunteers will serve at one of four sites around the county.

Those signing up for this opportunity will be added to a list of potential volunteers to be called up in the event shelters are opened.

For more information, please contact Kynda Hancock at 904-253-1026.

You can more information about Feeding NEFL, their work, and other ways to help at their website here.

This drive is one of our (DIY) Do it Yourself Volunteer Projects. DIY Volunteering allows families and groups of all ages and sizes to participate in flexible and meaningful community service opportunities from the comfort of their own homes or offices. DIY projects can be combined with social events, business meetings, celebrations, and more. You or your team will host a drive or purchase the supplies, complete the project, and drop off the completed project at the appropriate location. You may log your hours through the self-log feature of your profile after registering for the event and completing your project. 

For those that need service hours, we can give one hour for every 10 items or package of items donated. Contact us at volunteer@uwnefl.org before drop-off if this is needed. 

This position supports the Regional Volunteer Services department. This is a 100% virtual (volunteer-from-home) opportunity. Screening Team members seek to understand what brought prospective volunteers to the Red Cross, their areas of interest and what position they would find most meaningful. Screeners use their understanding of the volunteer and match it with the needs of the organization, connecting volunteers with positions for which they are both interested and well suited.