Our prayers go out to those affected by the tornadoes in Joplin, MO and the flooding in the South.
Now more than ever, healthcare professionals are needed to help in these storm ravaged areas. There are many organizations that help coordinate disaster relief, but the American Red Cross is probably one of the largest national providers.
No minimum time commitment is required to be a disaster relief volunteer and volunteers can give one weekend a month or several weeks a year, depending on their level of interest and availability. Volunteers may be called upon to respond to local disasters or sent out for major events such as the fourth deadliest tornado that recently struck the small town of Joplin, the devastating floods that are hitting the South or disasters such as Hurricane Katrina which hit in 2004. All storms require some type of relief.
Not all volunteers have to be healthcare professionals, but many of the 8,000 men and women are social workers, emergency medical technicians, counselors, physician assistants and therapists in many different fields. Red Cross volunteers may be stationed in a shelter or at a disaster relief hub, where they greet disaster victims and offer services. They can also work in areas without electricity or water and may contend with weather conditions that can make care giving a challenge; however healthcare workers who volunteer for American Red Cross disaster relief assignments say they’re motivated by a desire to help people put their lives back together after a catastrophe.
Licensed healthcare professionals interested in volunteering should contact their local Red Cross chapter. An introductory training course can be completed in about an hour at home or three hours in a group setting.
Further training is required and will prepare volunteers for a variety of assignments, such as managing shelters or interviewing disaster victims.
For more information, visit the American Red Cross website at www.redcross.org.