Disaster action teams are comprised of a single disaster action team leader and several disaster action team members. The disaster action team leader serves as coordinator of and provides leadership for other team members. The disaster action team concept is intended to place trained Red Cross volunteers on the scene of a disaster within minutes. The responding disaster action team volunteer makes an initial assessment and calls for additional help as needed. The support and resources of the entire chapter are available to disaster action team members when they respond to an incident.
Team members report to the disaster action team leader A disaster action team member, depending on training and experience:
Conducts a disaster assessment.
Assists in opening a shelter and participates in mass feeding services, as needed.
Initiates interviews with those affected by the disaster to determine emergency needs.
Provides appropriate assistance based on the nationally standardized approved price list, up to financial limits established by Disaster Services leadership.
Provides disaster health services and mental health (by qualified Disaster Mental Health team members).
Completes any necessary reports or documents related to the incident or to assistance; identifies and reports needed follow-up.
