• First, review the Emergency Services Baseline Requirements to determine whether your skills, interests and availability match with the needs of the department. Please note that in addition to the Baseline Criteria we are asking for a time commitment which will vary depending on your volunteer position choice(s) of either:
  • An office or support position: one to two days a week
  • A DAT member: available for DAT calls one week per month
  • Community Presenter: at least one presentation per month
• Additional requirements for specific Emergency Services openings are listed in the Opportunity Directory preceeded by the initials ES
  
• Chapter application. The first step in becoming an Emergency Services volunteer is to complete the Oregon Trail Chapter volunteer application process. This process is detailed on the Becoming a Volunteer page.
  
• Emergency Services Process
  • First Contact. The Volunteer Office will let us know when your Chapter Application is complete, and we will call or email you to arrange for your attendance at an Emergency Services Orientation, or you may call (503-280-1495) or email (otcstaffing@redcross-pdx.org) the Emergency Services Staffing Office yourself to schedule the Orientation.
  • Register with the SABA Learning Management System
  • Disaster Responders-DSHR Application. Volunteers able to commit to disaster response, either local or national, are defined as Disaster Responders, and will also fill out a DSHR application packet joining the American Red Cross Disaster Services Human Resources system. This application packet is required even if the volunteer is certain he or she will only be responding locally.
  • The DSHR application packet is distributed to attendees at the Orientation, and consists of the following forms. You may fill them out ahead of time and bring them to the Orientation if you like. The forms are located in the Document Library in the DSHR Application  Forms section
    • DSHR System Enrollment Application
    • Health Status Record
    • Personal Statement of Understanding
    • DSHR Availability form
    • Applicant Data Record
  • Attend the Orientation. At this Orientation, our basic structure and the opportunities available in Emergency Services are explained in detail.
    This orientation process helps the department and the volunteer determine what type of service will be the best match between the needs of the department and the preferences and abilities of the volunteer.

• Volunteer Information Center
  • Profile information for Active Registered volunteers is available in the Oregon Trail Chapter Volunteer Information Center.
  • Volunteers can access their personal profile with the login provided when they complete the above volunteer process and qualify as Active Registered volunteers. (Volunteers receive the login and password by email at that time.)
  • Change contact information, log volunteer hours, and sign-up for selected volunteer shift openings for the Emergency Warming Center or Together We Prepare activities. Additional sign-up opportunities may become available as we develop this resource
  • Go to the Volunteer Information Center login page.
  • What happens next will depend on the volunteer's schedule and preferences as well and on the current needs in the department, but in any event will include training and additional time in the ES office, if possible. Additional details of a "First 30 Days" plan will be discussed at the Orientation.

Emergency Warming Center applicants not interested service as a regular Oregon Trail Chapter Emergency Services volunteer

• Complete the Chapter Application process (above)
• Attend an Emergency Warming Center Orientation (you can find the EWC Orientation schedule on the Calendar and Events page, or contact Curtis Peetz (503-528-5669)for more information.)
  • Find more information about the Emergency Warming Center here.

Commitment and Communication

• Commitment. Being a disaster responder requires a certain level of commitment on the part of the volunteer. For example, when you choose to join a Disaster Action Team team as a Member in Training, your commitment is to be available during the specified time period. This can be more difficult than it first may appear. For example, during the period when you are on call, if you have confirmed your availability that means you WILL respond if called. It does not mean you will respond only if you have not made other plans in the meantime. Clients and your team members are counting on you to be there to help.
• Importance of Good Communication. Once a fire or other disaster occurs, each failed contact effort by the leader or coordinator extends the time it takes for the Red Cross to arrive on the scene. These delays can result in a loss of confidence by first responders (police and fire) and unacceptable delays in the delivery of services to victims. You can help control this response time by arranging your schedule with your Red Cross commitment in mind and by communicating changes in the schedule to your leader or coordinator before the disaster occurs.