The American Red Cross Western Pennsylvania Region is looking for volunteers to serve as shelter workers. People who complete our Sheltering Fundamentals Boot Camp are then eligible to be deployed to assist with the Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma Relief Operations.
To be eligible to deploy as a Red Cross volunteer, individuals must:
- Be age 18 or over with a valid driver's license and be able to drive
- Be able to deploy for a 2-3 week period
- Be able to work 12-hour shifts while deployed
- Pass a background check
- Successfully complete a Health Status Record
- Complete a 3-hour Sheltering Fundamentals Boot Camp
- Complete 2 online train courses (Disaster Cycle Services: An Overview and Everyone is Welcome)
- Complete a standard Red Cross Volunteer Application
Sheltering Fundamentals will be offered on the following dates and times. To register for a specific course, click the registration link next to the course. Upon submission of the registration form, you will be directed to a link to complete a Red Cross Volunteer Application.
There is no cost to attend a course, but advanced registration is required.
Please note that needs during a disaster operation constantly change and you may be asked to complete additional training in any of the following areas - feeding, bulk distribution, logistics, staffing, and/or disaster assessment.
There is no cost to attend a course, but advanced registration is required.
Please note that needs during a disaster operation constantly change and you may be asked to complete additional training in any of the following areas - feeding, bulk distribution, logistics, staffing, and/or disaster assessment.
If you have any questions, please reach out to our Volunteer Services Team at 888-217-9599 (option 4).
** Thanks to all who attended one of our Sheltering Boot Camps in September. **
I live in Illinois I don't have any money but I want to help with the hurricane coming into Florida's direction Irma. Is there anything you guys can do to get me there as soon as possible?
ReplyDeleteYou will want to check with your local Red Cross in Illinois to see what type of training opportunities they have and if you are a match for a position. They will be able to explain what opportunities are currently available.
DeleteAre there any classes being held in the central part of PA? None of these are very close to where I live.
ReplyDeleteCentral PA is a different Red Cross Region. I believe they are holding classes, but do not know any details about them. You will want to contact the Red Cross Office out of Harrisburg. They can tell you what they are offering.
DeleteWhen are the expected deploy dates?
ReplyDeleteThere is no guarantee of deployment and no dates are currently planned. Once the storm hits, we will know whether or not we need to open shelters and how many need to be opened. At this point, we need to wait to see where the storm makes landfall and where it goes from that point.
ReplyDeleteHow would we get there? What about food and shelter for the volunteers? Do we need to use our own money for anything?
ReplyDeleteThe Red Cross provides the transportation to and from the deployment site and takes care of food and lodging. Many times in shelter situations, volunteers stay in staff shelters. Complete details on deployments will be explained at the training sessions.
DeleteThank you
DeleteWhy do we need a driver's license? Any chance you'd take volunteers without them?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, not. It is a requirement of deployment. I do not know the exact reason. If you contact your local Red Cross Volunteer Services Team, they would be able to explain.
DeleteMy husband and I have a window of time between Sep. 19 and Oct. 19. If we were to be trained tomorrow evening in Pittsburgh, would we be able to go and return in that window (I realize you can't guarantee anything, I'm just asking if it would potentially be possible)? Also, we are living in Pittsburgh right now, but are residents of Montana - does that matter? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Barb... As you mentioned, we can't guarantee that you would be deployed, but if the need was there... we could work around the dates you are available. The question I can't answer is the residency one. You might want to call our office and speak to someone in volunteer services. They would know how to answer that one.
ReplyDelete