Team members are "on-call" 8pm-8am on Sunday and Tuesday nights every week during the school. After an initial call from the fire department, disaster victim, family member or friend, Red Cross DAT members respond to disasters in the Boston area. DAT members assist disaster victims with emergency and long-term needs:

 

· The team evaluates the extent of damage to determine how much assistance the victims will need.

 

· Victims are given the means to obtain essential items such as food and clothing, basic household appliances and furnishings, and medical and occupational supplies that are lost or destroyed in the disaster.

 

· During a large disaster, temporary shelters may be set up to provide disaster victims with a place to stay.

 

             Hundreds of meals may be served at one time to shelter occupants as well as emergency workers including firemen, power company workers, rescue workers and police. The team members are contacted by the team leaders and participate in damage assessment, comforting victims, and a host of other tasks. Volunteers are trained throughout the year in answering disasters, CPR/First Aid, Mass Care, etc.

 

The Responsibilities of each team member include:

1.              Providing essential emergency assistance such as food, clothing, shelter, and necessary medications to victims of natural

                 or man-made disasters.

2.              Registration of survivors of disasters, completion of ARC paperwork, and survey of damaged dwellings.
                 Professional conduct with regard to all ARC activities.

3.              Providing accurate and appropriate information to survivors of disasters regarding further Red Cross assistance, and                  emotional support as necessary.

4.              Maintaining a working relationship with other emergency services personnel at disaster scenes as well as with other American Red Cross chapter personnel.

Disaster Action Team