Disaster Responder Job Description
Any Animal. Any Disaster. Anywhere.
Each year, individuals and families, already overwhelmed in a disaster, are faced with an impossible
choice: they must evacuate their homes leaving beloved pets behind to fend for themselves or evacuate
with them with no guarantee shelters will allow animals. Some even choose not to evacuate and stay
behind with their pets, placing themselves and their pets in danger. Animal response teams of Kansas
respond on request to disasters of all kinds, natural or manmade, that overwhelm local resources.
Experienced volunteers can mobilize self-contained resources so as not to burden affected communities.
Disaster Responder Volunteer -- Job Definition
A disaster responder is trained, credentialed and prepared to respond in a disaster situation, when and
only when contacted through the proper disaster response team notification process (ie Code Red call
system). A disaster responder does NOT respond, unless asked to do so. Detailed job descriptions for
assigned responder roles are available on-line at: http://sedgwickcoart.org/Volunteer.html.
Your Volunteer Role
As a disaster responder you will select the area you are best suited for and prepare/train for duty in that
capacity. As a disaster responder, you are not required to respond to all disasters when contacted, it is
understood that there will be times when you are unavailable. Additionally, disaster responder
volunteers are encouraged to participate in some capacity as a community volunteer, staying active and
informed about the organization.
How to Become a Disaster Responder
1. Complete Volunteer Application and Waiver forms
2. Complete a personal interview/orientation with an organizational representative
3. Commit to helping people and their pets be prepared in a disaster situation
4. Complete required CORE training found at http://sedgwickcoart.org/Volunteer.html.
5. Request a volunteer uniform t-shirt for use at local events and disaster deployment
6. Request a disaster responder photo-id badge (the organization will handle this)
Estimated Annual Commitment (6.5 hrs a month, plus response time if deployed)
 Attend at least two of the four quarterly meetings (4 hrs) per year
 Attend at least 4 monthly training sessions (8 hrs) per year
 Attend at least one exercise each year (4-6 hours each) per year
 Work on at least 3-4 division projects each year, you pick the division and the projects (development
or disaster planning) (est 15 hrs per project)
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