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Disaster Health Services
Disaster Mental Health Services
Medical Assistance Team

Disaster Health Services (DHS)

Mission and Purpose

The mission of a Health Services disaster volunteer is to provide health-related services and to secure resources to meet the health needs of people affected by disaster.

Health Services personnel provide emergency and preventive health services to disaster victims and to Red Cross Disaster Services staff. It also cooperates in approved appropriate research designed to mitigate disaster-related illness, injury and death. The role of Health Services is to:

• Provide support to persons who have disaster-related or disaster-aggravated health needs.
• Help clients find resources to meet health-related financial obligations.
• Provide Red Cross financial assistance to clients for medical expenses, as necessary

WHO WE ARE?

Disaster Health Services Red Cross volunteers must hold a valid state license or certification in any of the following disciplines:

• Registered Nurse
• Licensed Practical Nurse
• Physician
• Emergency Medical Technician
• Paramedic
• Physician Assistant
• Certified Nursing Assistant

WHAT WE DO?

The focus of the Red Cross Health Services’ worker is to care for the disaster-related health needs of clients, which may entail assistance with:

• Disaster-caused or disaster–aggravated injuries or illnesses
• Replacement of medical supplies and durable medical equipment lost or damaged in the disaster
• Disaster-related medical bills
• Replacement of lost or damaged prescription medication
• Replacing eyeglasses, prosthetic devices, hearing aids and other equipment lost as a result of the disaster
• Referrals to local public health clinics and community agencies

WHEN ARE WE NEEDED?

When a disaster strikes!

According to the Red Cross, a disaster is defined as a threatening or occurring event of such destructive magnitude and force as to dislocate people, separate family members, damage or destroy homes and injure or kill people.

Characteristics of a Disaster

• Ranges from single family involvement to regional impact
• Community infrastructure may be compromised
• May involve local, state or federal response
• Disasters can happen at any time, anywhere and affect any or all of us
• Disasters range from small, single-person involvement to catastrophic incidents with regional and even global impact
• Currently, the Red Cross responds to more than 70,000 disasters each year

Natural Disasters	Human-Related
Hurricanes	Residential Fires
Tornadoes	Building Collapses
Earthquakes	Transportation Accidents
Floods	Hazardous Incidents
Wildfire	Domestic Acts of Terrorism
Epidemics

WHERE DO WE WORK?

Health Services volunteers work in a variety of settings:

• Shelter
• Service Center
• Response Center (call center)
• Emergency Aid Station
• Community Outreach
• Home Visits
• Respite Center
• Hospitals

WHY DO WE DO IT?

To fulfill the Red Cross mission:

The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

To carry on the legacy of Red Cross:

Early in the organization’s history, the Red Cross decided that the purpose of its aid was not to provide charity, but to help people who are temporarily unable to help them selves. In 1905, the U.S. Congress passed the Act to Incorporate the American National Red Cross. This Act has become known as the Congressional Charter of the American Red Cross. Though not funded by the government the Red Cross is expected, morally and legally, to be the primary provider of relief to victims in the event of a disaster.

To exemplify the American Red Cross Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement when providing disaster Services, which are:

• Humanity
• Impartiality
• Neutrality
• Independence
• Voluntary Service
• Unity
• Universality

HOW DO WE DO IT?

The American Red Cross has been the primary disaster relief provider for over one hundred years. Since the Red Cross is not government funded the required financial support for disaster services are possible through donations from the public. The success of the Red Cross has only been possible by working closely with partners and local agencies in the community.

Local Agencies:

• Emergency Management
• Public Health
• Healthcare Organizations
• Schools
• Churches
• Voluntary Agencies
• Community Agencies
• Mental Health

Partners:

• Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)
  • Health Professionals who are MRC volunteers may also serve as Red Cross Volunteers
  • For more information regarding MRC please click here

• Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)

If you are interested in volunteering in Health Services click on the link below to print the volunteer application

Health Services Volunteer Application

For a summary of all the Health Services Training click on the link below

Health Services Training  

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