Disaster Services

755 W. Lincolnway
Valparaiso, IN 46385
Phone: 219- 462-8543.

The Disaster Action Team meets on the first Tuesday of the month.

The American Red Cross is an organization that is at its best when times are at their worst. From the fire that leaves one family without a home, to lifesaving blood transfusions, catastrophic disasters and international conflict zones, when people rely on the Red Cross, the Red Cross is there. We are an organization led by volunteers, guided by our congressional charter and supported by the generousity of the human spirit.

It is unknown whether nature or humans will cause the next disaster, we do know disasters will come - and we must always be prepared. Together we can prepare by cooperating, learning from each other and creating disaster respoinse plans for our families, our neighbors, and our communities. Please help us make our nation as safe and prepared as possible.

Disaster Action Team
The Porter County Chapter Disaster Action Team was formed in July of 1999. This trained group of volunteers responds to 911 pages just like firefighters and other emergency responders. Two person teams are on-call for a week and carry the "DAT phone," a cellular phone that is used to activate the team into action. During a house, apartment or mobile home fire, volunteers may receive a call to assist a family that has been left needing food, clothing or shelter after a fire in their home. DAT members assist the families with immediate sheltering needs and then families are referred to the office for further assistance.

The DAT group members meet on the first Tuesday of each month at the Chapter office at 755 W. Lincolnway in Valparaiso. The team members discuss fires of the previous month and receive training to better assist them in their duties. Some of the disaster classes are available online.

New team members are always needed to be part of the team. All Red Cross volunteers must complete and pass a background check and fill out paperwork prior to joining the DAT. If this sounds like an opportunity you might like to try, please call our office at 462-8543 for details.

Disaster Classes Listing
The following disaster classes are available to the public free of charge. If you are interested in finding out what local disaster teams do, or would like to go on a national disaster - these are the classes for you!

For more information, contact:

John Pinter, Regional Executive Director

American Red Cross

St. Joseph County Chapter

3220 E Jefferson Boulevard

South Bend IN 46615

(574) 234-0191

(574) 234-0194 fax

(574) 904-7914 cell

Introduction to Disaster - (*Now Online at redcross.org*). The purpose of this course is to provide fundamental information about disasters, the community response, and the role of Red Cross Disaster Services. This course is the pre-requisite for all other disaster courses.

Shelter Operations & Simulation - The purpose of this course is to prepare volunteers to effectively and sensitively manage shelter operations as a team and to meet the needs of people displaced as a result of disaster. Participants will also practice the knowledge and skills needed to run a successful shelter operation.

To visit the National Red Cross Disaster Services Page please visit: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/
Disaster classes offered for school age students and pre-school age children:

Sesame Street Let’s Get Ready (Preschool Age)Join the Sesame Street characters as they stress important information for children such as knowing their name, their parent’s name, and their address. The program covers determining which people in the community help in during a disaster (such as firefighters and law enforcement officers) and what families should have in their disaster kits at home.

Masters of Disasters (Elementary Kids and Older)