Disaster Action Team (DAT) Dispatcher

Virtual position supporting Disaster Action Team responses in the Minnesota Region.

Disaster Action Team (DAT) Dispatchers provide off-site support to DAT members (Responders, Trainees & Incident Leads) during local responses, with the goal of mobilizing a team of volunteers to respond within 2 hours and maintaining positive rapport and open lines of communication with fellow DAT members.

·    Commit to availability during on-call shifts

·    Verify fire incidents with local fire departments

·    Use DCSOps tool to dispatch Responders to local incidents

·    Serve as off-site point of contact for DAT Responders and Trainees throughout the response, and ensure fiscal tools are loaded.

·    Inform Duty Officer of complex or large disasters and mobilize support as needed

·    Inform Disaster Public Affairs Responders of incident responses

·    Represent the American Red Cross by operating within established procedures and guidelines and ensure their observance by team members during responses (training provided)

·    Act in ways consistent with the American Red Cross Mission and Fundamental Principles

·    Clearly, appropriately, and professionally communicate with DAT members, paid and volunteer staff, and community partners

·    Complete all necessary training courses (see Training Section below) within first year of service

·    Regularly attend DAT Dispatch meetings/conference calls

Commit to 4 6-hour on-call shifts per month, in addition to attendance at local Dispatch meetings/conference calls

 

·    Reliable access to Internet during on-call hours

·    Reliable access to telephone during on-call hours

·    Familiarity with policies, regulations, and procedures for local disaster response and services (training provided)

·    Team leadership and organizational skills

·    Strong written and verbal communication skills

·    Demonstrated initiative and ability to make decisions within established guidelines

·    Ability to effectively communicate and delegate tasks in stressful situations

·    Disaster Services: An Overview (1 hr online or 2 hrs in-person)

·    Disaster Action Team Orientation (1 hr online and 2 hrs in-person)

·    Direct Client Assistance Fundamentals (30 min online)

·    Dispatch Workshop (3 hr in-person)

·    Handling a Crisis Call (1 hr online)

·    DCSOps Training Videos

Supported by: Workforce Engagement & Regional Dispatch Advisor

Minimum 1 year

·    Opportunity to serve community as a resource for those affected by disasters

·    On-going training opportunities

·    Be part of a dynamic and committed corps of outstanding Red Cross volunteers

·    Gain experience in social work, human services, disaster response, and emergency management

·    Opportunity to build leadership experience

If you have any questions, please call or email Mona Lindholm at 507-387-6664, ext. 1504 or ramona.lindholm@redcross.org.

If you're ready to get started, please go to https://www.redcross.org/local/minnesota/volunteer.html. All American Red Cross volunteers go through an application and background check process.