Emergency Response Volunteer (Orkney)

**Our team of dedicated and trained volunteers and staff are on call 24/7 to respond to a wide range of emergencies, from natural disasters like floods and severe weather to individual crises such as house fires, and power outages.

During times of major incidents, we work alongside the emergency services and local authorities to help set up and run rest centres, offering immediate support including emotional care and essential supplies like warm clothing, hygiene packs and hot drinks. We also support vulnerable people at home by ensuring their immediate needs are addressed through door to door welfare checks.

When not responding to emergencies, our teams of volunteer train together and work together and attend local resilience building events across the area to help people prepare themselves for an emergency which can happen at any time.

“We’re there for the human aspect of the incident”. **

This service operates 24/7 and is staffed by volunteers who can be called upon any time of day or night.

When an incident takes place in the local area, we will ask for your availability to respond.

To be a part of this Emergency Response Service, we are looking for volunteers who:

• Can be on call for 24 hours a month.

• Have held a driving licence for at least 2 years which allows you to drive in the UK. Have access to your own vehicle and be willing to drive a British Red Cross vehicle.

• To deploy within the Orkney Islands, at short notice, all year round, based on availability, including anti social hours. 

• Are understanding that the inconsistent nature of emergency response work is necessary. i.e. accepting that there will be occasions when you do not deploy to emergencies for long periods of time as opposed to other times when you seem to be deploying more frequently. 

• Are available to undertake approximately 33 hours of required e-learning modules and Zoom training sessions in the first few months of volunteering plus other ongoing service specific trainings as required.

Due to the nature of this role, applicants must undergo an Enhanced PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups) check.

Health and Safety Statement

We take an individual approach to ensuring your safety.

We may ask you to complete a simple risk assessment and will also have a conversation with you to discuss and identify any adjustments you may need.

Diversity

Diversity is something we celebrate. We want you to be able to bring your authentic self to the Red Cross and feel that you belong. We want to create an inclusive environment, and promote and spread the power of kindness. As part of creating an inclusive space we have an expenses policy that prioritises volunteers not being out of pocket for expenses linked to your role. If up front costs are difficult, you can speak to your volunteering manager about this to find alternatives.
We welcome refugees, asylum seekers and others currently in the UK to volunteer with us.
We want volunteering to be accessible to everyone.

If you have any questions before applying, please contact us at volunteerrecruitment@redcross.org.uk