Position Title: Personal Disaster Assistance Team Member (PDAT)
Volunteer Role: Service Delivery Volunteer
Department and/or Program: Disaster Management – Personal Disaster Assistance Program
Location: Southern Alberta – Medicine Hat & Area, including Cypress County and County of Forty Mile

Purpose:

This position provides emergency social services, within Canadian Red Cross guidelines, to people affected by personal disasters in their branch area

Reports to:

Branch Disaster Management Coordinator

Reporting Relationship:

Branch Community Services Coordinator, PDA Team Members

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Complete a needs assessment with the people affected by disaster
• Provide comfort to the people affected by the disaster
• Provide services based on the Standard Operating Procedures and the National Disaster Assistance Guidelines
• Complete necessary paperwork (e.g.: Goods & Services Voucher, Needs Assessment Form, Situation Report, etc…)
• Provide referrals to partner agencies & other community based groups
• Participate in preparedness activities at the branch level
• Report to DM coordination council.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Excellent communication skills (verbal & written)
• Excellent listening skills
• Reliable with the ability to remain calm during a crisis.
• Ability to empathise with people affected by disaster
• 18 year of age (minimum)
• Valid Driver’s Licence & ability to respond (vehicle)
• Clean Police Reference check
• Successful completion of mandatory training programs noted below

Time Commitment:

• 2 years
• Ability to respond during non-traditional hours (i.e. late at night)
• Ability to be on-call from time to time 
• Attend monthly DM meetings (10 per year)
• Take the on-call cell phone once ever 4-6 weeks

Required Training and Development Opportunities:

• Introduction to Disaster Services – mandatory
• Emergency First Aid - mandatory
• Level 1: providing relief assistance to clients – mandatory
• Mandatory attendance at regular team meetings as set by DM coordinator
• Introduction to the Red Cross & Red Crescent movement
• Self-care course (3-hour online) – mandatory
• Optional Level 2 courses

Probationary Period:

Volunteers will be matched with an experienced volunteer(s) for their first 3 responses to assess suitability

Applicants:

For more information contact:

Linda Trautman,
Community Development Coordinator,
(403) 526-3048
linda.trautman@redcross.ca

Posted:  June 19, 2012