Beaumont Chapter

Individual and Family Assistance

Trained Red Cross interviewers meet one-on-one with individuals and families to determine their disaster-caused needs and how the Red Cross can help. The Red Cross also lets people know about other available community or government resources and helps those needing long-term recovery assistance when other resources are not available or are inadequate.

Disaster Services Human Resources (DSHR)

When a major disaster strikes an area, the local chapter rarely has enough trained personnel to provide adequate Red Cross response. The National Red Cross Disaster Services Human Resources (DSHR) program provides assistance by sending trained volunteers from chapters in other parts of the country to assist the local chapter.

To participate in the DSHR program a volunteer must:

Have attained the age of majority in the state of their permanent residence.
Have a formal education sufficient to meet the demands of disaster work, preferably holding at least a high school equivalency.
Hold a current first aid certificate.
Complete the Red Cross training course "Introduction to Disaster Services" and appropriate functional training.
Participate in the local Chapter Disaster Services Program.
Be available to serve in disaster operations with little or no notice and preferably for three weeks per assignment.
Be willing to live and work in adverse conditions such as those resulting from natural or man made disasters.
Be willing to work long daily hours for extended periods with little or no free time.
Be in good health.
A DSHR volunteer is usually certified in one or more functions such as Mass Care, Family Service, Disaster Health Services, Disaster Mental Health, Damage Assessment, Logistics, or Records & Reports.
When going on assignment, travel and living expenses are paid by the Red Cross and the assignment usually lasts for 3 weeks.

For more information about the Disaster Services Human Resources program and how you can get involved, please contact the Emergency Services Department.

Disaster Action Team (DAT)

While the most well-known aspect of Red Cross disaster relief takes place on major disasters, the Red Cross responds to over 67,000 disasters each year nation wide. The vast majority of these disasters are single family disasters such as house fires.

The Beaumont Chapter alone responds to over 150 disasters and assists over 2,000 individuals and families each year, most of which are house and apartment fires. Our Disaster Action Teams (DATs) are prepared to respond to any disaster, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year.

What is a Disaster Action Team (DAT)?

Disaster Action Teams are composed of volunteers who are trained to provide specific immediate disaster services to those affected by a disaster on behalf of the American Red Cross. The purpose of the team is to meet the immediate, disaster-caused needs of individuals and families for such things as shelter, food, clothing and other necessary items. DAT members also inform clients how to access further Red Cross assistance if necessary. Besides residential fires, the DATs also respond to large-scale disasters such as floods, hurricanes, etc...

In addition, DAT members educate the community about how to prevent and prepare for all types of disasters such as fires, floods, hurricanes and terrorist attacks. They speak at local community organizations and pass out safety flyers in at-risk residential areas.

How does it work?

DATs respond to verifiable requests for emergency assistance after hours, on weekends and on holidays. These requests usually come from the police department, the fire department, or from Emergency Government. Usually the response is to a single family disaster; however the DAT assesses the disaster to determine if a greater response is needed.

If an emergency occurs, the Team leader will call the week’s on-call DAT members to respond and go to the scene to assist our clients (those who have been in the disaster). At the scene, we determine our clients' needs and insure that their immediate food, shelter, clothing, and emotional needs are met.

Who are DAT members?

DAT members are dedicated volunteers. They are able to be on call for designated shifts and respond quickly when called. DAT members volunteer for a variety of reasons and come from a variety of backgrounds including:

Retired persons
Business owners
Students
Teachers
Postal employees
Painters
Carpenters
Computer workers
Bank employees
Many others

Some DAT personnel have been helping for many years, others are just starting out. The average member has been involved with DAT for about 2 years.

How to become a DAT member?
All DAT volunteers are specially trained for free at the Beaumont Chapter headquarters in Beaumont to respond in their local community to both natural and man-made disasters. The challenges of serving as a Red Cross DAT volunteer are not suited to everyone. A DAT volunteer must have the time and patience to complete required training classes which are taught by volunteers and paid staff and offered at irregular intervals. He or she must be willing to get up in the middle of the night to respond to a disaster call and realize that the frequency of disasters is impossible to predict.

Disaster Health Services (DHS)

Disaster Health Services (DHS) is an integral part of Disaster Services. Our mission has remained unchanged since the organization began more than a century ago. Our purpose is to bring timely and effective help to people affected by disasters.

As a DHS volunteer, you will provide emergency and preventive health to victims of disasters in a variety of settings. We work closely with other functions within Red Cross as well as with community resources, such as the Public Health Department.

DHS volunteers have the opportunity to staff shelters, work in service centers, join Integrated Care Teams, respond as a member of DAT (Disaster Action Team), teach Health Services classes, and work in Staff Health on large disasters, assist with Emergency Aid Stations, as well as many other venues.

With some experience on local disasters under your belt, you may apply to be a member of our DSHR system (Disaster Services Human Resources). DSHR is the group of experienced disaster workers that respond on large national disasters, such and floods and earthquakes. Red Cross is also working on Weapons of Mass Destruction protocols.

Our chapter participates in many drills with other agencies, such as airport drills or statewide drills involving police, fire, EMS and hospitals.

There are many opportunities within Red Cross for nurses and allied health workers to explore. All you need is a willingness to help people.

Presentation/Information Request Line (409) 832-1644

The American Red Cross teaches individuals, families, and businesses how to prevent, prepare for, mitigate, and respond to disasters through the Community Disaster Education program. We provide trained professionals who will customize a presentation to meet the needs and interests of your audience.

COST: Presentations are offered free of charge, but donations are encouraged to cover costs. We distribute at least 1 brochure/flyer per participant. (Estimated cost: 25 brochures=$5, 25 flyers=$2) You may buy extra brochures at cost or photocopy some of our materials (ask for approved list).