American Red Cross Volunteers needed throughout Tennessee
to Respond to Home Fires and Other Disasters
HOLIDAY/WINTER 2020 FARRAGUT LIFE 61
Most of the 62,000 emergencies that the
Red Cross responds to each year are local
disasters like home fires. Trained and
available, Disaster Action Team volunteers
are ready to respond to these emergencies,
24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
While the Tennessee Region is lucky to
have such highly skilled volunteers, the
need for more disaster volunteers is great
in many of the state’s more rural areas.
This is especially true as the state has
increasing numbers of local house fire
clients for the fall and winter. American
Red Cross volunteers arrive on scene after
first responders to help those with critical
needs after a fire has heavily damaged or
destroyed a home or apartment.
“We have several counties that may only
have one or two Disaster Action Team
volunteers that live in the area,”
said Joel Sullivan, Regional
Executive for the American
Red Cross of the
Tennessee Region.
“The need is
great in the small communities for people
who are willing to help. We need more
volunteers who care about others and are
willing to step up and make a difference for
their neighbors.”
Volunteers must be at least 18 years of
age and complete a volunteer application,
including a background check. Required
training is provided free of charge.
“There is a volunteer job for anyone who
wants one,” Sullivan added. “These people
help their neighbors on what is definitely
their darkest of days. Volunteers are there to
hold their hand, help them fill out important
documents and connect them with services
to get them back on their feet after a fire. It
is a very important job and one our disaster
action team members do very well.”
Red Cross assistance to families may
include resources for emergency lodging,
food, clothing, replacement of prescription
medication, emotional support, and help
connecting with other agencies that may
provide ongoing assistance. To find out
more information on how you can volunteer
for the Red Cross in your community as
a Disaster Action Team member, go to
RedCross.org/Volunteer. You can search
your location for available volunteer
opportunities.
The need for DAT volunteers is immediate
in the following chapters: East Tennessee
Chapter, Heart of Tennessee Chapter, Mid-
South Chapter, Mid-West Chapter, Nashville
Area Chapter, Northeast Tennessee
Chapter, Southeast Tennessee
Chapter, Tennessee River
Chapter, and the American
Red Cross – Fort
Campbell.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about
40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports
military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the
American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
Get Involved
The Red Cross depends on the generous support of the American public to fulfill its humanitarian mission. To support our lifesaving work, please
consider volunteering or making a donation by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 gift.
/Volunteer
/redcross.org
/redcross.org