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In General | All Emergency Services Volunteers | Program Support | DSHR | DAT | CAT | Authorized Drivers

In General

Requirements for Emergency Services volunteers fall into three categories: Skills, Training, and Physical Ability. The basic skills and introductory training requirements are covered below. Additional training, skill, and physical requirements are included in the various pages covering the specific activities.

All Emergency Services volunteers

In addition to the general requirements for service as a Red Cross volunteer, including the criminal background check, and the requirements specified below, all Red Cross volunteers are expected to be familiar with the Red Cross Mission Statement and Fundamental Principles.

Basic Training for Emergency Services volunteers. (Ideally, attendance should occur in consecutive order.)

• Introduction to Disaster Services online
  • Introduces learners to American Red Cross Disaster Services. Course allows them to discover how volunteers support this critical mission and to explore ways they can become involved in a local chapter. (Available in Spanish and English)
• Local Operations class (Disaster Services Informational Interview) arranged during initial intake with chapter volunteer office
  • Offers participants an overview of the various groups and activities within the Disaster Services Human Resources (DSHR) system and details specifics on becoming engaged in OTC Disaster responses.
• Fulfilling Our Mission*
  • Introduces potential disaster volunteers and members of other local agencies to the role of the Red Cross in the community's actions in preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies and disasters.
• Disaster Public Affairs Overview (online)*
  • This on-line course focuses on The American Red Cross Brand Identification and applying those Public Affairs concepts to the Mission and Fundamental Principles
• Mass Care: An Overview*
  • Provides an overview of the activities performed by the Mass Care group on a disaster relief operation
• Chapter Approved Diversity Course* (Recommended)
• FEMA basic classes Recommended FEMA IS-100, FEMA IS-200, FEMA IS-700, FEMA IS-800B
• Standard First Aid with Adult CPR & AED (Recommended)
  • Emergency Services volunteers should sign up by phone with Health & Safety, 503-280-1440

* Sign up on the Learning Management System. Learn more about LMS here.

Program Support Personnel (non-Disaster Responders)

There are no specific additional requirements for all Program Support Personnel. Training and experience expectations will be determined by the Activity Lead or paid staff member supervising the volunteer. A discussion between volunteer and supervisor should occur at the first opportunity to assure that all parties understand goals and expectations.

Satisfy Basic Training Requirements for all ES Personnel

Disaster Responders (DSHR) System Requirements | Training Requirements

All volunteers joining Emergency Services as Disaster Responders are expected to join the Disaster Services Human Resources system [Basic Skills and training listed below]. This is true even for responders who choose to respond only with the chapter. Even when we are dealing with local problems we are all a part of the National Red Cross and need to be trained and tracked so we can always be ready to muster our forces in response.

DSHR System Requirements

DSHR System Statement. “The primary purpose of the DSHR System is to support the efforts of American Red Cross units in disaster-affected areas by having trained, experienced and readily available personnel who can move to disaster sites quickly and efficiently.” Excerpted from the DSHR System Redesign Toolkit available on CrossNet

All volunteers joining Disaster Services as Disaster Responders are expected to join the Disaster Services Human Resources system. Registration forms are provided and explained at the Local Operations interview for those volunteers electing to serve as Disaster Responders. Forms are also available on CrossNet and in the OTC online library

Basic Requirements for all DSHR members are [the following DSHR requirements are excerpted from the DSHR Baseline Competencies document]:

• Successfully Completed ARC required criminal background check
• Provide a Social Security Number (on the DSHR Application)
• Have received a formal education sufficient to meet the demands of disaster work, preferably at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Hold a current first aid and CPR certification recognized by the American Red Cross (Required for Health Services and Staff Health Activities; strongly recommended for all others)
• Complete the Red Cross training course Introduction to Disaster Services (ARC 3066) (http://www.redcross.org, click on Disaster Services, locate Take the Intro … in the Spotlight box.)
• Participate in OTC’s local disaster program (active, regular participation at least once each calendar quarter.)
• Complete and sign a Health Status Record form annually

• Communication Skills
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Provide appropriate feedback.
• Computer Skills
• Demonstrate basic computer knowledge.
• Work and Personal Skills
• Take action appropriate to the situation.
• Be a productive member of the DSHR System.
• Demonstrate behaviors necessary to set and achieve goals.
• Take responsibility for outcomes.
• Embrace behavior consistent with professionalism.
• Work well with people

• Have attained the age of 18
• Hold a valid driver’s license
• Be available to serve on disaster relief operations, with little or no advance notice
• Be flexible in the ability to make travel plans and serve on operations
• Be willing to travel by the authorized common mode of transportation
• Be willing and able to live and work in adverse conditions
• Have Internet access, including an email address

• Specific training requirements for all DSHR Groups & Activities plus requirements for Supervisors, Managers and Administrators are listed in the DSHR Activity Requirements and Resources document included in the online Document Library
• Supplemental to the DSHR activity Requirements and Resources, the chapter's Minimum Requirements for Service Associates document is available in a two page pdf document: the first page is a narrative list and the second is a training requirements chart based on the Groups and Activities chart.

DAT Requirements are listed on the DAT Page

• Disaster Kitchen Workshop (chapter workshop)
• Food Handler's Permit
• Mass Care Overview

• [addl rqmts under construction]
• ERV Ready Set Roll training, including all pre-requisites
• Mass Care II

Authorized Drivers

Documents: Authorized Driver Application/Road Test Record and Authorized Driver Policy | OTC Vehicle Policy

In General. The ES Department is the custodian of several vehicles as follows (listed in size order):

• EKRV (Emergency Kitchen Response Vehicle)
• CALF (Communications and Local Fires)
• ERV (Emergency Response Vehicle) – National Fleet
• Box Truck
• Cargo Van
• 4WD SUV (3)
• Trailers (specific towing authorization required)

In order to be allowed to drive (or tow) any chapter vehicle a person must be an Emergency Services authorized driver. This applies to paid staff as well as volunteers.

All vehicles

• The first step in qualification is to obtain a DMV check. You can use the Authorized Driver Application to authorize the chapter to do a DMV check, or you can obtain your own DMV check. The DMV check standards are included in the Authorized Driver Procedures printed on the back of the Authorized Driver Application. Links to info and the Oregon request form appear below:
  • DMV Check Info (Word Document)
  • Form (link to DMV web site)
• Take a Defensive Driving course and deliver the certificate. (Coaching the Van Driver II is the Defensive Driving course offered by the chapter. See the LMS Calendar for a scheduled class or talk with Kelly Scott about setting up a class. 503-528-5663)
• Specific Vehicle Driving Test
  • Fill out and submit the Authorized Driver/Road Test Record form and make an appointment for a driving test.

  A successful Driving Test in one of the 4WD SUVs qualifies the driver for all chapter passenger vehicles (the 4WD SUVs and the Cargo Van)

Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) & Box Truck

In addition to the above, ERV qualification requires successful completion of the ERV Ready, Set, Roll Training mandated by National ARC. Prerequisites to the ERV class include:

• Completion of the Mass Care Overview class (also Fulfilling Our Mission, which is a prerequisite for the Mass Care Overview)
• Completion of Logistics Overview Recommended
• Member in good standing of the DSHR system

The ERV class includes a self-study portion, a classroom portion, and a driving portion (obstacle course and road test). You can find more information on the ERV Ready, Set, Roll Fact Sheet.

Successful completion of the ERV training also qualifies the driver for the box truck.

Emergency Kitchen Response Vehicle (EKRV) & CALF

• ERV Qualification required
• EKRV Operator Training
• Road Test

Successful completion of the EKRV training also qualifies the driver for the CALF. The CALF is used primarily by the Disaster Services Technology Team responders.

Towing

Towing qualification requires one-on-one training and a driving test. The training is arranged with the Transportation Activity Assistant Lead: Vehicles