Volunteering with the American Red Cross - Overview

Volunteering. It's what we do. And, we're always looking for new volunteers...

The American Red Cross of Cape Cod and Islands Chapter works within communities, providing relief to people who have suffered a disaster. We also help people prevent, prepare for and respond to a variety of emergencies. With your help, the promise of neighbor helping neighbor in times of trouble becomes a reality and our communities become safer places to live.

There are many ways you can help save lives.

Follow these steps to get involved:

Simply fill out the Volunteer Application Form, sign the Code of Conduct and follow directions for obtaining a criminal background check, required of all Red Cross Volunteers. Please print and complete the following ARC Volunteer Application and required documents. After we receive your application, we will invite you to attend a New Volunteer Orientation session that includes the first training course, Fulfilling Our Mission. During your orientation you will learn about the many volunteer roles available to you and the training that each requires.

Send completed forms to American Red Cross, Cape Cod and Islands Chapter, Att. Catharie Nass, 286 South Street, Hyannis, MA 02601. For more information: dschair@cciredcross.org or 508-775-1540 x 18.

Click here for a schedule of upcoming free volunteer training classes.

To find out if your company has a matching gift policy, click here.

Cape Cod and Islands Chapter is Looking for Volunteers for a Few Hours a week in the following postions:

  • Inbound Telephone and Receptionist support and people interested in helping with Fundraising and Marketing efforts of the chapter.
  • Service to Armed Forces/Military Families Volunteers, preferably people with access to Mass Military Reservation, to support the chapter in expanding the service to military families, on and off base.
  • Community Preparedness Education, to support the chapter by providing talks and group presentations to educate local community groups, schools and other interested organizations in emergency preparedness awareness and other training. This will require some evening or weekend activities.
  • Health and Safety Preparedness Training, to support the chapter by representing the chapter at community events to educate local community groups, schools and other interested organizations in the Health and Safety training classes available through the Chapter. This will require some evening or weekend activities.
  • Nurses and Health professionals and liaisons, to work primarily in three settings depending on their level of expertise and experience. These settings include Red Cross operated Shelters, where disaster victims take temporary shelter for their basic needs of daily living; Red Cross Service Centers, where clients go to interview with caseworkers; and Red Cross Staff Health, where RNs / Physicians have responsibility for the health and well-being of Red Cross staff.
  • Disaster Action Team (DAT) Member, DAT members are ready to respond as part of a team that provides for the emergency needs of disaster clients.  Activities may include the following: interviewing clients and assessing immediate needs, beginning casework and financial assistance documents, providing canteen services for emergency responder and clients, and conducting damage assessments. Requirements:  Become a Registered Volunteer and take Disaster Services: An Overview, Mass Care, Shelter Operations, Shelter Simulation, Client Casework  and Psychological First Aid.
  • Client Caseworker, conduct interviews with clients and provide appropriate assistance to help meet a client’s immediate disaster-caused or disaster-aggravated needs. Requirements: Become a DAT member and take Providing Emergency Services to Families and related courses.
  • Disaster Health Services (DHS) Volunteer, are on call to provide a medical professional presence during disasters, primarily at a shelter or evacuation center. Requirements: Become a Registered Volunteer, take Disaster Services: An Overview, and Health Services Response Workshop.  Members must have current state licensure as an MD, DO, RN, LPN, PA, LVN, EMT or Paramedic, or be an Allied Health Professional (Nurse’s Aid, Home Health Aid, Certified Nursing Assistant or Personal Care Attendant) with a current First Aid certificate.
  • Disaster Mental Health (DMH) Volunteer, are on call to provide emotional support to clients and/or Red Cross workers and to make referrals for mental health services, as necessary. DMH volunteers are encouraged to serve on local DAT’s. Requirements:  Become a Registered Volunteer and take Disaster Services: An Overview and Foundations of Disaster Mental Health.  Members must have current state licensure as mental health professionals: psychiatrist, psychologists, social workers, marriage and family counselors and nurses with documented psychiatric training and experience.
  • Logistics, Staff Services, Disaster Services Technology, External Relations, Services to Armed Forces, Other Specialized Volunteers: These positions are open to DAT Team members with advanced training and experience.

    • All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from people in our local communities. Training to registered volunteers is free.

    For more information about volunteering, please contact the Chapter by emailing volunteer@cciredcross.org. You may also write to American Red Cross, Cape Cod and Islands Chapter, 286 South Street, Hyannis MA 02601 or call toll-free (508) 775-1540.

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