Disaster Services

Cathy Thompson, Program Director    
Phone: 219-462-8543, ext. 101
Email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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. (See the listing of classes below.)

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 or to register for a class, contact: Cathy Thompson at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by telephone at: (219)462-8543 Ext. 101.

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.

Community Services Overview - The purpose of this training is to provide basic information about the activities of the Mass Care function. Participants will learn about the skills and abilities needed by Mass Care workers and how they can get started in their local chapter. This course is the pre-requisite for Shelter Operations & Simulation.

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.

Family Services: Providing Emergency Assistance - The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the Family Services function of the Red Cross. You will learn the skills and tools needed to conduct an effective client interview.

Records & Reports 1 - This course prepares volunteer staff to work within the Records & Reports (R&R) function in a disaster environment. This course will provide the worker with the tools to perform the R&R activities that support other functions as well as co-workers on a Red Cross disaster relief operation. Participants must attend both sessions for certification.

Disaster Health Services: An Overview - Participants will learn more about what various knowledge, skills, and abilities are needed by Disaster Health Services staff as well as how they can get involved in their local chapter.

Disaster Health Services Simulation - The purpose of this training is to provide participants an opportunity to practice the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to work in the Disaster Health Services function on a disaster relief operation. This course completes basic Disaster Services preparation to work in Disaster Health Services (DHS) on local and national relief operations.

Human Resources in Disaster - The purpose of this training is to provide basic information about the activities and processes of Local Disaster Volunteers, Staffing, and Training functions in support of an American Red Cross disaster relief operation. Participants will learn how to deliver and support sufficient and effective human resources on a disaster relief operation.

Serving the Diverse Community - This course is about the relationship between customer service and changing populations, how prejudices and stereotypes develop and affect service and what the Red Cross expects of service providers and how to apply this behavior. This class does not cover Equal Employment Opportunity and Americans with Disabilities Act goals and federal regulations or recruiting staff from diverse populations.