Wednesday, May 16, 2001
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Wednesday, May 16, 2001 |
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Red Cross seeks applicants for new emergency response team Working on the American Red Cross AmeriCorps Rapid Response Team sounds tough. But past participants say they have learned from and enjoyed the experience. The metro Atlanta chapter of the American Red Cross is currently taking applications for the team, which will provide community disaster education and response for 11 months. Team members will receive extensive Red Cross disaster response/preparedness training. They will teach disaster programs to school children, respond to local and national disasters such as fires, floods, hurricanes and tornados, and join other AmeriCorps members in community projects. Former Rapid Response team members say helping others can be very satisfying. Eric Porterfield recalled helping an Atlanta resident recover after flooding waters destroyed almost everything in her apartment. "She had just moved here from Haiti and had no friends or family to help her," Porterfield said. "It was the most rewarding feeling to be able to help this woman who had no one else to turn to." Amber Chew recalled assisting a family after a tornado in Mississippi. "I worked with a family whose son died from his injuries," Chew said. "I was only on this assignment for two weeks, but I was able to assist this family in a way that has allowed them to start their long recovery. It's a great feeling to leave an assignment knowing that you have helped someone." Candidates must be at least 18 years old, be available full-time including some weekend and evening hours and they must be able to participate in national disaster assignments for up to three weeks at a time with little advance notice. "It's not an ordinary job," said Red Cross Administrator Deborah Freeman. Applicants must also possess valid driver's licenses, have at least GED or high school diplomas, have prior national or local volunteer experience and be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals or a lawful permanent alien residents of the U.S. Rapid Responders are paid approximately $510 every two weeks and at the successful completion of their tour are provided an educational award of $4,725 that can be used to pay off student loans or help finance further study. Interested persons may submit a resume to Deborah Freeman, Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter of the American Red Cross, Rapid Response Corps, 1955 Monroe Dr., NE Atlanta, Ga. 30324. Resumes may also be faxed to 404-575-3083 or e-mailed to americorps@arcatl.org. Applications and instructions will be mailed to qualified candidates. A Rapid Response Corps information line may be called at 404-575-3757. More information is available at the Red Cross Web site, www.atlantaredcross.org, by clicking on "Disaster and Emergency Services" and then following the link on the left of the screen to the Rapid Response Corps.
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