Disasters can happen anywhere, anytime, striking with little or no warning.
When a disaster occurs, the American Red Cross is ready to respond with its Disaster Action Team, a group of trained, highly-dedicated volunteers.

The Mohawk Valley Chapter’s Disaster Action Team (DAT) is on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help when needed. DAT volunteers are responsible for meeting the immediate needs of disaster victims- setting up disaster shelters, conducting damage assessments, providing food, clothing, medical assistance, and crisis counseling. DAT is also there for follow up care, to help victims after the disaster to replace essential items. In larger scale emergencies, volunteers with the Disaster Service Human Resource System (DSHR) support the Red Cross in disaster-affected areas nationwide by organizing volunteers on the scene.

Contact the chapter if you would like to become a part of the Disaster Action Team and help someone in need Jeff Parker, Volunteer Coordinator, 315-733-4666.

Training Schedule for Disaster Services: All classes are held at the Chapter offices unless notified otherwise. Call either office to enroll in a training, reservations are required 2 days before start of class to ensure enough participant materials.

All courses require Introduction to Disaster Services which is offered online.

All Disaster Services class participants must be a volunteer with the American Red Cross.

Please see our training page for Disaster Services training opportunities.

You can take the Introduction to Disaster Services Course online by clicking here.

Meeting Schedule:

Disaster Action Team meets the third Thursday of every month. All meetings are at 6 p.m. at the Chapter offices (alternates between Utica and Herkimer).  Next meeting:  September 16, 2010 in the Utica office.

The American Red Cross encourages people to register themselves on the Safe and Well Website, which is accessible at all times via www.redcross.org/safeandwell. The Safe and Well Website is an Internet-based tool that allows those directly affected by a disaster to let their loved ones know of their well-being. People within a disaster affected area are able to select and post standard messages. Concerned family members who know the person’s current phone number or a complete home address can search for the messages posted by those who register.


Thank you to:

for providing the American Red Cross with a $29, 350 grant to support disaster prepardness and capacity building. To learn more click here.