Disaster Action Team (DAT) Specialist

​Purpose

Responsibilities

DAT/SP-specific Responsibilities: 

General Responsibilities for all Specialists: 

• Works as part of an assigned team to respond to local disasters within established timelines defined in the Disaster Action Team Program Standards & Procedures. 
• Maintains regular communication with Duty Officer and other members of the team while assigned to an event to ensure continuity and safety. 
• Provides care, comfort, and compassion to clients (in accordance with Red Cross standards and procedures). 
• Works with on-scene DAT SV/MN to assess whether additional resources/support are required and communicates those needs to DAT Leadership. 
• Completes second responder confirmations in RC Care, the client case management system. 
• Attends regularly scheduled team/DAT meetings as required by Chapter/Region. 
• Maintains RC Care Intake Trainee user access. 
• Ensure that work is carried out in alignment with our fundamental principles and within established guidelines. 
• Maintain flexibility in a continuously changing environment in which work priorities may change frequently. 
• Collaborate effectively with others in a disaster environment. 
• Efficiently handle time sensitive issues that may arise in area of responsibility. 
• Report the status of assigned responsibilities and tasks as directed. 
• Work independently while following the direction of the direct supervisor. 

Time Commitment

Minimum on-call shift requirement is equivalent to 24 hours per month and is scheduled based on personal availability. Shift length is in 6 hour increments: 2x 12 hr shifts; 4x 6 hr shifts, etc.

Volunteers are highly encouraged to sign up for more shifts to ensure coverage, strong personal engagement and gain valuable learning experiences. Volunteers commit to being available during registered shifts and communicates availability conflicts with DAT Leadership.

When a call comes in, volunteers are expected to work as part of an assigned team to respond to local disasters within two hours; delivering immediate direct client assistance with support of on-scene lead to assess additional resource/support needs. 

Volunteer Frequency

Qualifications

DAT/SP-specific Qualifications (required): 

General Qualifications for all Specialists (required): 

• Comfortable using and learning new technology. 
• Reliable access to a cell phone (with ability to receive text messages), laptop or computer. 
• Be available to respond reliably to local disasters during assigned shifts in RC Respond, the DAT scheduling system, and communicate scheduling conflicts with DAT Leadership. 
• Must sign up for the minimum number of required shifts per month as determined by the region. 
• Able to follow Red Cross DAT and other related standards and procedures. 
• Commitment to use and maintain user access to RC Care and RC Respond systems as needed. 
• Able to work in challenging and stressful conditions such as poor air quality, uneven ground, adverse weather, etc. 
• Must be 18 years or older. 
• Must have a valid driver's license and/or a timely, reliable way to get to a disaster scene. 
• Comfortable working independently and within a team. 
• Ability to work with a broad variety of people with diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to have good organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to listen actively and work well with others. 
• Ability to function in a dynamic and stressful environment. 
• Ability to appropriately involve others in managing problems and conflict
• Ability to acquire, evaluate, and report information accurately. 
• Willingness to comply with current public health and Red Cross policies. 
• Refer to the Physical Capacity Grid for physical and emotional requirements. 

Length of Appointment

Once trained may remain active as long as required training is updated. DAT membership will be evaluated and renewed yearly based on performance.