|
Page Contents: In General | Other DSHR Categories | International Response
In General
Larger disasters that exceed the resources of the local chapter are
managed by the American Red Cross. Potential responders are tracked
through the Disaster Services Human Resources (DSHR)
system. All chapter affiliated disaster responders are required to join
the national DSHR system even if their activity is confined to local
response. This system provides the chapters and national with a way to
track available volunteers and to manage consistent training and
experience requirements.
This means that:
- All Chapter Disaster Responders must join the DSHR system and maintain their good standing in the system.
- This includes filing an annual Heath Status Record with the Emergency Services Staffing Office
- Members interested in national deployment must satsify all of
the requirements for national service, including Baseline Requirements,
and training, experience, and physical capacity requirments for their
chosen activities.
Detailed information about requirements can be found in the Document Library
in the DSHR Info and DSHR Competencies sections. (The
Document Library also contains information about Deployment and DSHR
Self-Serve.)
Other DSHR Categories
Most DSHR responders are volunteers or Red Cross Employees to whom
the general DSHR procedures apply. However, there are some members who
fit a special category, either as volunteers or as DSHR employees.
Information about two of those categories, DOVEs and Reserves is
included below.
Doves
The Disaster Operations Volunteer Escapees (DOVE) is a special
interest group, known as a certified Birds Of A Feather (BOF) group, of
the national Escapees RV (Recreational Vehicle) Club, founded in 1978
and incorporated in 1985 as a Texas corporation, headquartered at 100
Rainbow Drive, Livingston, TX 77351.
The DOVE was formed by Escapees RV Club members previously involved
with Red Cross disaster relief efforts. Escapees RV Club members offer a
group of responsible adults with specific unique advantages for
disaster relief efforts.
You can find more information about the DOVE program on their website.
Disaster Reserves
Experienced disaster responders can apply for DSHR Reserve status. Additional information about Reserves is located on CrossNet (user ID and password required), the national resource for American Red Cross employees and volunteers.
International Responders
Our responders sometimes ask how to get on the list for International
response. The application for international response is managed by the
national agency, in our case, the American Red Cross. Additional
information can be found on the American Red Cross web site.
|
