As the largest humanitarian organization in the United States, the Red Cross depends on volunteers to accomplish the organization’s mission: providing relief to victims of disasters and helping people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

To prepare volunteers to participate in this vital mission, the Red Cross provides training for most volunteer positions: the level of training varies according to the requirements of the position. For example, Red Cross disaster volunteers work in a variety of positions, with specific training courses for each job. Training for health & safety instructors starts with a four-to-six hour course, with as many as 38 additional hours of training for special skills. Volunteers serve at all levels of the Red Cross.

The work of your local Red Cross is made possible by the time and dedication of hundreds of volunteers in all areas of service delivery, administration, leadership, and support.

Volunteer Philosophy

• The American Red Cross is an organization governed, supported, and primarily staffed by volunteers.
• Paid staff are enablers of, and not substitutes for, volunteers.
• The principal management roles are filled by teams of volunteers and paid managers working together and sharing responsibility.