Volunteering for the Red Cross can be a rewarding experience. Our chapter provides many volunteer opportunities and the chapter relies on it's volunteers to be able to deliver a large percentage of the services it provides.

Our volunteers respond to disasters; provide community disaster education; teach lifesaving CPR and First Aid classes; teach Lifeguard training; and serve the military through Service to the Armed Forces (SAF).  These and many other activities benefit the local communities that we serve. You can invest as little or as much time as you want.

In order to volunteer, special skills or training aren’t necessary. Volunteers will receive all necessary training to perform their duties. Nevertheless, certain characteristics are required,  such as compassion, sense of team-work, honesty and dependability.

If you think it is important to help your community and country in times of disaster and help people to prevent, respond to and prepare for emergencies, then volunteering for the Red Cross might be the right thing for you. Follow the six easy steps.

Six easy steps to become a volunteer

Step 1 Check it out.

Answer the self assessment questionnaire and complete the online orientation. After completion of the online orientation, you should have a better idea of the programs that would utilize your skills and interests.

Step 2  Forms

Fill out a volunteer application and bring it to the initial meeting.

Step 3 Let’s meet.

Please sign up for a chapter group orientation. After the orientation, you will have the chance to discuss your interests in an interview with a volunteer coordinator. The volunteer coordinator will explain all necessary training and answer any questions that you might have.

Step 4 Background Check

Conduct a background check at www.mybackgroundcheck.com/arcvts/ . The background check is free and mandatory for all American Red Cross volunteer and paid staff.

Step 5 Training

Sign up for your training.  Some training is accomplished through on-line classes that you can complete at your leisure.  Other classes are conducted in a group session to allow for interaction with other volunteers and to answer specific questions that would come up.

Step 6 Volunteer

Schedule your volunteer time with your department coordinator or branch manager.  Remember your willingness to volunteer is greatly appreciated by the community that we serve.