Groups & Activities

Red Cross service delivery is divided into Groups and Activiites. Each activity has separate physical and training requirements.

text below | full size pdf chart | Activity Training Requirements | Physical Capacity Grid | Activity Assignment Descriptions(CrossNet)

General descriptions of each activity are listed below Specific Assignments in each Activity are listed in the Assignment Descriptions on CrossNet.

• Operations Management Responsible for providing operational oversight and direction to the disaster relief operation.
• Individual Client Services Provides for clients using a casework process which may include financial assistance, and counseling, health-related, and reunification services.
  • Client Casework Evaluate needs, provide services and maintain records for clients
  • Health Services Assistance to meet disaster caused emergency health needs such as medications, medical equipment, treatment, and health recovery information.
  • Mental Health Services Provides crisis interventions, mental health screening and assessment, emotional care and support, psychosocial education and mobilization.
  • Welfare Information Facilitates notification from “inside” and “outside” disaster-affected areas, helping clients initiate timely contact with family members and loved ones.
  • Recovery Planning & Assistance When client recovery needs are not met through personal, community and government resources, ARC will work to address remaining needs.
• Mass Care Provides activities and services on a congregate basis to the community as a whole, such as sheltering, feeding, bulk distribution.
  • Bulk Distribution Provide more than one item to more than one individual at one time. Traditionally this has been clean up items, flashlights, food coolers, gloves, etc.
  • Feeding Provide snacks, meals, drinks and water using ERVs or other vehicles on routes within the impacted area or at a fixed location such as community center.
  • Sheltering Provide congregate care for people displaced due to disaster.
  • Community Programs Provide information and services such as those provided at Emergency Aid stations. Reach out to meet community disaster caused needs.
• Partner Services Coordination of the services, and necessary liaison activities with, government and private agencies.
  • Government Liaison Coordinate services with local, state, federal, and Tribal government partners, as well as internal ARC partners, for the benefit of disaster victims.
  • Emergency Support Function 6 Works with FEMA, in accordance with the National Response Plan, to provide Mass Care responsibilities to affected communities.
  • Community Relations Ensures interests, needs, concerns, and resources of individuals and organizations representing a broad array of groups are represented on a disaster.
  • Labor Relations Link between Red Cross and all levels of organized labor in the disaster-affected community.
  • Voluntary Agency Liaison Link to communicate across internal and external partners to the ARC, particulary those traditionally involved with recorvery after a disaster.
• Information Management Support Services Assessment and operational data required for effective management, including information about the scope of the disaster.
  • Disaster Assessment Gather, analyze, interpret, and distribute accurate and timely information about the extent of damage, overall impact,and scope of the incident.
  • Financial & Statistical Information Management Obtain accurate, timely and consistent statistical and financial information.
  • Information Dissemination Captures data and information from a multitude of sources to analyze, synthesize, organize into logical formats, and disseminate reports internally.
  • Analysis & Planning Review and analyze cross-functional information to discern operational trends and circumvent possible problems.
• Material Support Services Support activities and services necessary to conduct a disaster relief operation, including the securing of facilities, supplies and equipment.
  • Facilities Manage the facilities and systems required to support the DRO. Look after and keep in good condition all appropriate resources.
  • In-Kind Donations Fundraise for in-kind materials and supplies required for DRO.
  • Invoice Review Verify receipt and accurate billing for all goods and services received by the DRO.
  • Procurement Procure and/or replenish purchased or in-kind materials and supplies required for DRO.
  • Life Safety & Asset Protection Provide environment that is as safe and secure as is reasonably possible.
  • Transportation Look after and keep in good condition all appropriate resources, including, but not limited to, rental and national vehicles, wheeled storage and refrigerated units.
  • Warehousing & Supply Manage the inventory of materials and supplies required for the DRO. Distribute, transport and/or install, as appropriate, materials and supplies.
  • RT Communications Handles all two-way radio and traditional phone service on DRO.
  • RT Networking Handles connectivity between DRO locations and NHQ.
  • RT Computer Operations Handles all desk equipment (phones, computers, etc) from arrival to setup at DRO.
  • RT Customer Service Supports end-users and issues equipment (including cell phones) to workers.
• Staff Services Activities and services necessary to ensure the ability of Red Cross staff, including spontaneous volunteers, to meet the needs of the people and communities.
  • Workforce Planning & Acquisition Determine and acquire staff needed to carry out activities. Replace and release of staff members, as appropriate.
  • Staff Relations Provide HR management services, as appropriate.
  • Staff Support Provide support to staff members such as: lodging, travel arrangements, financial etc. Establish and maintain staff related records.
  • Training Provide consultation, tools and training to support the other activities and the field in service delivery.
  • Staff Health Ensure a healthy workforce by providing physical and mental health services. Determine appropriate staff assignments according to current health status.
• Organization Support Elements of the American Red Cross that have a role in supporting disaster response and relief operations.
  • Public Affairs Write press releases, take photographs, represent in the JIC/JOC, coordinate VIP visits, produce internal communications such as newsletters.
  • Fund Raising Develop a Disaster Fund Raising strategy appropriate for the event, implementation of the Disaster Fund Raising plan.
  • Response Investigations, Complience, & Ethics Investigates allegations of fraud, waste and abuse. Ensures effective compliance with all applicable laws, regs and policies.