Disaster Services

Disasters may occur at any time or place. For this reason, the American Red Cross provides emergency relief services to individuals and communities on local, national and even international levels. Response teams are coordinated across the nation to respond to the more than 70,000 disasters that occur each year, such as house fires, natural disasters, and transportation accidents.

Well-trained, dedicated volunteers and staff at the American Red Cross of East Central Wisconsin provide basic emergency disaster assistance to individuals and communities affected by both natural and man-made disasters. Members of the Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteer to be on-call should such a disaster strike in our area.

Disaster Action Teams

Disaster Action Teams (DATs) are volunteers who provide immediate emergency services to those affected by a disaster. The Milwaukee County DAT responds to emergency requests within a ½ hour. Typically, a disaster is a fire in a single family home. The DATs also respond to large-scale disasters such as floods and tornadoes. In addition to distributing blankets, clothing, toiletries and other necessary items to people who have experienced a fire, the volunteers help people find a place to stay and food to eat. Our DATs responded to over 180 emergencies last year. These individuals are given special training on topics such as Disaster Assessment and Mass Care to ensure that they are well prepared to respond to local disasters.

What DAT Does

DATs respond to verifiable requests for emergency assistance. Usually the response is to a single family disaster, however the DAT assesses the disaster to determine if a greater response is needed.

The DAT then goes to the scene to assist our clients (those who have been in the disaster). We determine our clients' needs and insure that their immediate food, shelter, clothing, and emotional needs are met.

Equipped with "run-kits", which include all the necessary items needed to assess client needs and provide assistance as quickly as possible, DAT members are available at a moments notice to assist individuals involved in disasters.

Who is the DAT?

DAT members are dedicated volunteers. They are able to be on call for designated shifts and respond quickly when called. DAT members volunteer for a variety of reasons and come from a variety of backgrounds including:

  • Retired persons
  • Business owners
  • Students
  • Teachers
  • Postal employees
  • Registered Nurses
  • Carpenters
  • Stay at Home Moms
  • University employees
  • Many others

    • Some DAT personnel have been helping for many years, others are just starting out. The average member has been involved with DAT for about 2 years

    DAT in Your Area

    Since our chapter serves 9 counties, we have 9 distinct DATs to respond effectively. The counties served have very different qualities ranging from heavily populated to very dispersed populations and rural character. Therefore, each DAT has customized its procedures for responding, on-call scheduling and training and meeting dates. However, each DAT does provide each client with the same professional level of service.

    Planning for Disaster

    Prepare a Home Tornado Plan
  • Pick a place where family members could gather if a tornado is headed your way. It could be your basement or, if there is no basement, a center hallway, bathroom, or closet on the lowest floor. Keep this place uncluttered.
  • If you are in a high-rise building, you may not have enough time to go to the lowest floor. Pick a place in a hallway in the center of the building.
    • Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit Containing:
  • First aid kit and essential medications.
  • Canned food and can opener.
  • At least three gallons of water per person.
  • Protective clothing, bedding, or sleeping bags.
  • Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
  • Special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.
  • Written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas, and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you'll need a professional to turn natural gas service back on.)
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    When a Storm Approaches...
  • Find shelter in a building or car. Keep car windows closed and avoid convertibles.
  • Telephone lines and metal pipes can conduct electricity. Unplug appliances. Avoid using the telephone or any electrical appliances. (Leaving electric lights on, however, does not increase the chances of your home being struck by lightning.)
  • Avoid taking a bath or shower, or running water for any other purpose.
  • Turn off the air conditioner. Power surges from lightning can overload the compressor, resulting in a costly repair job!
  • Draw blinds and shades over windows. If windows break due to objects blown by the wind, the shades will prevent glass from shattering into your home.