ANA Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation® Blog: Disaster Preparedness for Nurses – Part 3 of 3
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What to expect on a volunteer deployment for a disaster response assistance program.
Whether responding to natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, or wildfires — or assisting in the aftermath of public health emergencies — disaster response volunteers play a crucial role in stabilizing affected communities.
Supporting people during and after a disaster requires adaptability, resilience, and a commitment to providing care in crisis situations. Disaster response organizations depend on skilled health care professionals to address urgent medical needs, safeguard public health, and support long-term recovery efforts.
With their training and experience in handling crises, nurses make ideal responders.
“Nurses already step in on a daily basis to care for people when they need it most,” says Linda Fahey, DNP, RN, CENP, and interim chief nurse at the American Red Cross. “Providing disaster health services draws on all our training and experience. It requires empathy, flexibility, teamwork, resourcefulness, and communication skills. It is both challenging and immensely rewarding.”
As climate-related emergencies occur more and more each year, disaster recovery and relief programs across the United States need more nurse volunteers. If you’re considering deploying as a disaster health services nurse, here’s what you can expect from the experience.
Pre-Deployment Preparation and Requirements
Before becoming a volunteer, you’ll need to apply to a disaster relief program. Several are listed on the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website. You can also check with local community centers and faith-based organizations for volunteer opportunities. Many organizations require that you are age 18 or older and pass a background check.
Additional pre-deployment requirements may include:
Some programs may also need you to have a valid driver’s license and the ability to read, write and follow verbal and written instructions in English. Fluency in both English and another language is a plus.
“At the Red Cross, we work with communities and people that speak a variety of languages, so if you’re bilingual, we highly encourage you to volunteer,” says Linda.
Deployment Conditions and Environment
Disaster deployments vary based on the type and scale of the disaster. Volunteers work in shelters and neighborhoods and may visit with disaster survivors in hotels or homes to assess needs. They provide both in-person and virtual support to disaster survivors.
You might stay in your local community or travel across the country to areas affected by hurricanes, wildfires, floods, or earthquakes. Your deployment may last from a day to a few weeks, depending on your availability.
The conditions you encounter during a deployment may include:
Volunteer Nursing Roles and Responsibilities
Your specific duties will depend on the disaster and the needs of the affected community. Common nursing roles include:
“Disaster health services differ from traditional nursing roles in that we provide short-term support and self-care interventions for immediate health needs,” Linda says. “We do not administer medications or provide long-term care services. Nurse responders do not perform IV placements or other advanced acute care.”
Challenges and Rewards
While disaster response nursing is both physically and mentally demanding, it is also deeply fulfilling. “It is such special work,” Linda says. “I can’t emphasize enough how important our role is during and after a disaster.”
According to Linda, the rewards of volunteering include:
Although the work is challenging, Linda says most nurses agree it’s difficult to stop when you know people need you. “We actually have to mandate days off to ensure everyone stays healthy and to support self-care,” she says. “It’s some of the hardest work you’ll do, and also some of the most satisfying.”
Have you deployed as a disaster response nurse? Please share your experience with our community in the comments.
Not a member of Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation (HNHN) yet? Join today!
Sign up for our monthly challenges!
Supporting people during and after a disaster requires adaptability, resilience, and a commitment to providing care in crisis situations. Disaster response organizations depend on skilled health care professionals to address urgent medical needs, safeguard public health, and support long-term recovery efforts.
With their training and experience in handling crises, nurses make ideal responders.
“Nurses already step in on a daily basis to care for people when they need it most,” says Linda Fahey, DNP, RN, CENP, and interim chief nurse at the American Red Cross. “Providing disaster health services draws on all our training and experience. It requires empathy, flexibility, teamwork, resourcefulness, and communication skills. It is both challenging and immensely rewarding.”
As climate-related emergencies occur more and more each year, disaster recovery and relief programs across the United States need more nurse volunteers. If you’re considering deploying as a disaster health services nurse, here’s what you can expect from the experience.
Pre-Deployment Preparation and Requirements
Before becoming a volunteer, you’ll need to apply to a disaster relief program. Several are listed on the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website. You can also check with local community centers and faith-based organizations for volunteer opportunities. Many organizations require that you are age 18 or older and pass a background check.
Additional pre-deployment requirements may include:
- Disaster response training: The Red Cross and other programs require training in disaster preparedness and emergency response protocols. The Red Cross offers convenient, virtual self-led training combined with a 2-hour instructor-led virtual class to facilitate learning.
- Licensing and certifications: Volunteering as a nurse requires an active, unencumbered nursing license and current CPR certification
- Personal preparedness: Accommodations can be limited. If you will be on an extended deployment, you may need to pack essentials like scrubs or comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing, hygiene items, and sleeping gear. You will also need to prepare your family and household before you deploy and coordinate coverage for any workplace obligations.
- Immunizations and health requirements: Up-to-date vaccinations, including tetanus and hepatitis, may be necessary. Some deployments may require additional health screenings.
Some programs may also need you to have a valid driver’s license and the ability to read, write and follow verbal and written instructions in English. Fluency in both English and another language is a plus.
“At the Red Cross, we work with communities and people that speak a variety of languages, so if you’re bilingual, we highly encourage you to volunteer,” says Linda.
Deployment Conditions and Environment
Disaster deployments vary based on the type and scale of the disaster. Volunteers work in shelters and neighborhoods and may visit with disaster survivors in hotels or homes to assess needs. They provide both in-person and virtual support to disaster survivors.
You might stay in your local community or travel across the country to areas affected by hurricanes, wildfires, floods, or earthquakes. Your deployment may last from a day to a few weeks, depending on your availability.
The conditions you encounter during a deployment may include:
- Basic living arrangements: Housing for volunteers ranges from temporary shelters and tents to shared dormitory-style or hotel accommodations.
- Emotional and psychological challenges: You’ll work with and care for people who have lost their homes or loved ones. Volunteering as a disaster nurse often requires you to provide both medical care and emotional support. Additionally, witnessing the devastation of a disaster may also impact your mental and emotional well-being.
- Limited resources: Electricity, clean water, and medical supplies may be scarce, requiring you and your fellow volunteers to be resourceful and creative problem solvers.
- Long work hours: When you volunteer for a large-scale disaster, your shifts may be long and physically demanding, up to 12 hours per day.
Volunteer Nursing Roles and Responsibilities
Your specific duties will depend on the disaster and the needs of the affected community. Common nursing roles include:
- Acute care: You may be asked to assess and treat people for injuries or medical conditions resulting from the disaster. This includes determining what can be addressed in a community setting and referring those that require a higher level of care.
- Chronic disease and medication management: Disaster nurses provide care for people with conditions that may be exacerbated due to stress and limited access to medication. You may also help people secure refills of their medications or replace lost or damaged medical devices.
- Infection control: Nurses help ensure sanitation, wound care, and disease prevention measures are followed to prevent infections or outbreaks in shelters.
- Mental health support: You may assist people dealing with emotional trauma or anxiety and need to connect them with crisis counseling services.
- Public health education: Volunteer nurses educate communities about hygiene, wound care, and managing chronic illnesses under emergency conditions.
“Disaster health services differ from traditional nursing roles in that we provide short-term support and self-care interventions for immediate health needs,” Linda says. “We do not administer medications or provide long-term care services. Nurse responders do not perform IV placements or other advanced acute care.”
Challenges and Rewards
While disaster response nursing is both physically and mentally demanding, it is also deeply fulfilling. “It is such special work,” Linda says. “I can’t emphasize enough how important our role is during and after a disaster.”
According to Linda, the rewards of volunteering include:
- Community impact: Providing relief to those in need brings a great sense of purpose and gratitude.
- Emotional resilience: Witnessing devastation and suffering during a disaster can feel overwhelming, but it’s balanced by the impact you make on survivors’ lives.
- Lifelong friendships: You will likely develop incredible bonds with your fellow volunteers and make lasting friendships.
- Personal growth: You develop confidence, invaluable crisis management skills, and a profound appreciation for the resilience and teamwork of the volunteers around you.
Although the work is challenging, Linda says most nurses agree it’s difficult to stop when you know people need you. “We actually have to mandate days off to ensure everyone stays healthy and to support self-care,” she says. “It’s some of the hardest work you’ll do, and also some of the most satisfying.”
Have you deployed as a disaster response nurse? Please share your experience with our community in the comments.
Not a member of Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation (HNHN) yet? Join today!
Sign up for our monthly challenges!
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04/10/2025 2:37pm CDT
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