Experts say we are in for a busy hurricane season this summer and the American Red Cross needs volunteers to help in our community.
“The coronavirus pandemic may make it challenging to deploy trained disaster volunteers from other parts of the country should an emergency occur. In light of this, the Red Cross is asking you to be ready to help your community,” said Barry Porter, Regional CEO, American Red Cross Eastern North Carolina. “Train now to be a Red Cross volunteer and answer the call to help if the need arises here in our region.”
The American Red Cross faces a unique challenge in preparing for this hurricane season. During the current pandemic, we have established new guidelines for sheltering designed to keep our workers and clients safe, such as setting up more small shelters, each with fewer clients.
SHELTER HELP NEEDED: There is a special need for volunteers to support sheltering efforts. Because of COVID-19, the Red Cross is placing those needing a safe place to stay in emergency lodging when possible. If necessary, the Red Cross and our partners will open shelters. However, to ensure proper social distancing, more shelter locations may be necessary and additional volunteers will be needed. To help keep people safe, we have put in place additional precautions and developed special training for our workforce.
We need volunteers to help staff shelter reception, registration, feeding, dormitory, information collection and other vital tasks to help those we serve. We have both associate and supervisory level opportunities available.
HEALTH SERVICES SUPPORT NEEDED: If you are an RN, LPN, LVN, APRN, NP, EMT, paramedic, MD/DO or PA with an active, current and unencumbered license, the Red Cross needs your support. Volunteers are needed in shelters to help assess people’s health. Daily observation and health screening for COVID-19-like illness among shelter residents may also be required. RNs supervise all clinical tasks.
Roles are also available for Certified Nursing Assistants, Certified Home Health Aides, student nurses and medical students. We need volunteers who can provide care as delegated by a licensed nurse in shelters. This could include assisting with activities of daily living, personal assistance services, providing health education and helping to replace medications, durable medical equipment or consumable medical supplies.
Are you available to help?
- Willing and able to work in person at a shelter
- Minimum of 18 years of age
- Willing and able to take abbreviated training including COVID -19 training and meet the qualification to obtain the one of the following disaster positions?
Shelter Service Associate
Shelter Supervisor
Disaster Health Services Service Associate
Disaster Health Services Supervisor
- Once the position is obtained, able to keep availability updated in Volunteer Connection
Full information on volunteer opportunities is available here.
We care about your health and well-being, and if you are interested in volunteering for any in-person position above, please review the CDC guidance for people who are at higher risk for severe illness, consult your health care provider and follow local guidance.
FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING: If you are willing, able and interested in helping our community should a disaster occur, please go to redcross.org/volunteertoday to get started or contact encrecruit@redcross.org for more information.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.orgorcruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
