If you are interested in learning more about the volunteer opportunities listed below, contact Sarah Rissinger, Disaster Volunteer Services Supervisor, at 215-299-4056 or rissingers@redcross-philly.org.
Disaster Action Team (DAT) member: Provides emergency assistance directly or indirectly to people affected by disaster. Services are provided within the established policies and procedures of the American Red Cross and Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Bridge Worker: This program requires a more regular commitment, but will show you the entire disaster relief and Armed Forces Emergency Services programs. Staff and volunteers man the Communications Center, the nerve center of the ES, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Disaster Instructor: Conduct trainings for American Red Cross paid staff and volunteers, or other agencies requesting training on topics related to disaster response work.
Health Services: Provide health-related services and secure resources to meet the health needs of people affected by disaster and of the personnel providing disaster relief. Must be licensed in Pennsylvania.
Mental Health Services: Provide mental health-related services to families who have become victims of disaster, and to personnel who responded to a disaster. Must be licensed in Pennsylvania. Part of the Emotional Care Team.
Spiritual Care: Provide the Spiritual Care Services of presence, words of comfort, hope and prayer to people affected by a disaster, as well as being available to respond to any spiritual needs within the SEPA chapter of the American Red Cross. Must be ordained, licensed or commissioned by a religious authority to function in the specialized ministry of care or equivalent chaplaincy training. Part of the Emotional Care Team.
Staff Aide/Office Help: Provide administrative assistance to the ES department including data entry and filing.
Emergency Preparedness Presenter: Raise the disaster awareness level of families, communities and our entire region. These workers perform outreach to lessen the occurrence and the damage of disasters.
Logistics: Provide ongoing help with supplies maintenance, as well as help after a large response. This can include cleaning, moving supplies, inventory, restocking vehicles and storage space.
Red Cross House (various positions): There are a number of roles for people to play at our service facility. This includes opportunities with casework, children's programs, as well as Emotional Care volunteers holding regular office hours. Roles at Red Cross House require a regular, ongoing time commitment.
Red Cross House Administrative Assistant: Assist in office management under the supervision of the RCH Administrator. Duties include data entry, filing, and project management.
Services to Armed Forces (SAF) Events: Opportunities to support our troops as part of our SAF program is available through our Video program and at the Ft Dix mobilization sites.
You can also view additional volunteer opportunities within the American Red Cross by visiting Volunteer Support Services.
Training
The Emergency Services department offers all volunteers periodic trainings to support and enhance their experience. All trainings are free to ES volunteers, who are encouraged to complete them within six months to one year of joining the ES team.
Required Courses
- Emergency Services Volunteer Orientation/Simulation
- Fulfilling Our Mission: Translating Your Compassion into Community Action
- Mass Care Overview - can be taken as a self-study*
- Client Casework (formerly called Family Services: Providing Emergency Assistance)
- First Aid/CPR/AED
- Shelter Operations and Simulation
Additional Requirements for Specialty Volunteers
Health Services Volunteers must also complete:
- Health Services Response
Mental Health Services Volunteers must also complete:
- Foundations of Disaster Mental Health
Spirit Team Chaplain Volunteers must also complete:
- American Red Cross Chaplaincy Training
Strongly Recommended Courses
- ERV: Ready, Set, Roll
- Logistics: Overview and Simulation
- Serving People with Disabilities
- Client Assistance Systems - instructor led and online self study available*
- Psychological First Aid
- International Humanitarian Law
*Upon completion of self-study courses, please notify the Planning and Training Coordinator so your training record can be updated.
Disaster Services Human Resources System
Disaster relief items, such as clean-up kits, comfort kits, food, water, ice, fuels and other items related to disaster relief and recovery may be distributed by Red Cross staff and volunteers either at shelter locations, service centers or via mobile crews who travel to affected areas to distribute these items.
Opportunities
People in the DSHR system can work in Mass Care, Individual Client Services, Disaster Health Services, Disaster Mental Health Services, and many other capacities depending on their life experience and level of formal training. The system allows us to quickly seek potential volunteers for deployment following a disaster. Sometimes there may be a need for two people to assist on a disaster response or there can be times when 50 volunteers are requested from SEPA alone.
If you are interested in joining the Disaster Services Human Resourses System (DSHR) please carefully read the Introduction Letter and complete the following application materials.
1. DSHR System Enrollment Application
2. Health Status Record
3. Code of Business Ethics
4. Personal Statment of Understanding
5. DSHR Data Record
6. Group/Activity/Position Definitions
7. DSHR System Group and Activity Descriptions
8. DSHR Physical Capacity Grid
Please return items 1-5 to: Melissa Hunsberger
American Red Cross SEPA Chapter
23rd and Chestnut Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Client Casework
Sometimes it is difficult to find a fax machine to send casework to the Red Cross House. For those who like to work online, there is an electronic version of the 901 intake form (click here to access it). Using this form, you can enter the data completed in the field. You will need to save the form on your computer and then attach the completed form in an email to Diana Fingar at fingard@redcross-philly.org. Please remember to delete this form from your computer once you email it to Diana -- it contains confidential information.
Remember, YOU STILL MUST MAIL THE HARD COPY OF THE 901 TO THE RED CROSS HOUSE to:
Red Cross House
Attn: Diana Fingar
4000 Powelton Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Staff Contact Information
If you are interested in finding out more information about volunteering or are a current volunteer please feel free to contact us.
| Name | Title | Phone | |
| Sarah Rissinger |
Disaster Volunteer Services Supervisor |
215-299-4056 | rissingers@redcross-philly.org |
| Melissa Hunsberger | Planning & Training Coordinator | 215-299-0493 | |
** To view some of the linked documents in this section, you will need the Adobe Acrobat Program, available free by clicking here
