AmeriCorps members in the assigned Region and Chapter will be focused on providing disaster preparedness training and education to individuals and groups throughout the community through New York State's Citizen Preparedness Corps, the American Red Cross' Pillowcase Project and Prepare with Pedro, Home Fire Campaign, and Be Red Cross Ready initiatives. In addition, AmeriCorps members serving in our program will also work on increasing volunteer capacity throughout the assigned Region by recruiting, training and engaging community volunteers through their service work. Finally, AmeriCorps members serving in our program will be given the opportunity to learn more about and become directly involved with various other core Disasters Cycle Services operations such as Disaster Response, Mass Care, Disaster Workforce Engagement, Logistics, Information / Planning, and Individual Disaster Care, and other disaster activities to ensure the Red Cross is able to effectively respond to disasters.
Service Activities
- Community Outreach
- Some administrative work including data reporting
- Delivering presentations to children and adults
- Responding to local, and/or statewide when necessary.
- Increase Region and/or Chapter readiness to respond to disasters
- Engaging new and current volunteers as it related to service activities.
- Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, including but not limited American Red Cross Staff, Volunteers, and Community Partners
Community Need Addressed
The American Red Cross Disaster Resiliency Corps (ARCDRC) will address the lack of disaster preparedness training and education provided to New York State citizens. The program also engages AmeriCorps members to help the American Red Cross with its own disaster readiness to ensure we are able to effectively respond to any emergencies/disasters.
Position Outcomes
Due to the member's term of service, those receiving disaster preparedness education and training will have an increase in knowledge on how to prepare for, respond to and recover from any natural, man-made and/or technological disasters that could occur in the State of New York. Those who receive this education are then expected to have a change in behavior, and then prepare themselves to be better able to respond and recover. Through the American Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, the member's service is expected to result in individuals being more prepared for house fires from being provided home fire safety information and the installation of a free smoke alarm.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, College Credit, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
- Free Dental/Vision Coverage
- Member Assistance Plan
- Networking within the American Red Cross and the community.
- Exposure to American Red Cross employment anywhere in the country
- Participation in the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
- Federal Student Loan Forbearance and Interest Payments
- Professional and interpersonal development opportunities
Education Benefits
First Aid, CPR/AED training, FEMA training, and certifications. Red Cross certifications. AmeriCorps members will also learn professional and interpersonal skills throughout their term of service.
Skills you will gain
Timekeeping, public speaking, project management, event planning, conflict resolution, disaster response, team work, emergency management
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment