American Red Cross

Disaster Response Services

Burbank Mass Care Service Teams

The American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles Chapter, Burbank District responds to disasters large and small to provide Shelter and Food assistance to disaster victims free of charge. We do this in the following ways, but we can't do it without you.

1. Disaster Action Team (DAT). After initial volunteer training, disaster action team members are authorized to wear the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles Chapter uniform. Special I.D. will also be issued. They are on call after hours and respond to residential disasters, fires, floods and evacuations. Two to three DAT members provide emergency assistance for 1-20 disaster victims free of charge. Maintain operational biweekly readiness ensuring all necessary forms are available, inspect DAT vehicle.

2. Canteen Truck Team operations. Two canteen team members provide light snacks for disaster workers and victims in the field serving as many as 25-100 persons. This mobile light snack vehicle, provides water, coffee, hot chocolate, fast food, chips, utensils, napkins, plates, cups. Additional team members may shuttle supplies to ensure canteen vehicle is always stocked and ready in the field. Maintain operational readiness by restocking items above and basic maintenance inspection of the vehicle.

3. Mass Care Service Teams. (for larger then DAT sized incidents) 
Community Services are provided on large disasters. Generally, Mass Care Services are provided for evacuees. From 20 to as many victims that are displaced due to the disaster.

3a. Mass Care Shelter Team: Trained volunteers set up shelter locations throughout the community, register disaster victims, provide light snacks, soft drinks, blankets, set up cots, and issue comfort kits (soap, toothpaste, and other hygiene articles). Provide reassurance to victims. Maintain operational readiness, perform work inventory, stocking, cleaning of cots and ensure shelter site inspection survey's are up to date.

3b. Mass Care Food Service Teams: Trained volunteers set up field kitchens such as a mobile catering vehicle system, set up food distribution networks, delivery of hot and cold meals to disaster victims and emergency personnel. They deliver hot and cold beverages, soft drinks, water, light snacks to victims. They maintain operational readiness to perform this work by inventory analysis, ordering replacement supplies stocking up storage areas, clean food, drink containers for reuse and working on updating vendor agreements.

All readiness work is done at a convenient time for the volunteers.

Call 818-376-1700 Northern L.A. Area (Including Burbank) Volunteer recruitment. To help your community today. WWW.REDCROSSLA.ORG

American Red Cross Disaster Response Meetings 

Disaster Response Meetings are open to the public.

Disaster Response Meetings cover Response Volunteering, disaster response incidents, basic operation team information, up coming events and training.

Anyone wishing to become a volunteer is welcome to attend to find out more information.

• Dec 19 2006, Jan 16 2007, Feb 20, Mar 20, Apr 17, May 15, Jun 19, Jul 17, Aug 21, Sept 18, Oct 18, Nov 20, Dec 18. 

• Meetings at Burbank District Office. 6:45 pm. Located at 101 S First Street Suite 204, Free parking in rear.

Please call 818-842-5295
for more information

American Red Cross Free Disaster Classes
Call 800-627-7000 for information

American Red Cross-Online Training Course
Under training the American Red Cross has a online course available to anyone wishing to take the course. It is "Introduction to disaster services" I recommend at least 20-30 minute blocks of time be set aside to take the course as it is approximately 1 to 1-1/2 hours. 
www.redcross.org/flash/course01_v01
The course will remember where you left off.