Non govt. version of FEMA? Job?

[Reason]

I have always wanted to work in a disaster response management type of job and now that I am *awake* politically, FEMA seems like a bad idea lol...

Does anyone know, or know anyone that works in this field?

Where would I want to get started?

I would not want to be doing any hands on medical treatment etc, but more of a management/coordination type of thing.

Does anyone know anything about the Red Cross, or how they treat their employees?

I don't have any burning desire to travel to Africa or any other 3rd world clusterfuck.

I would like to work stateside helping fellow Americans if possible.

 

[Zippyjuan]

Red Cross?

 

[Reason]

Red Cross?

Note the last 3 lines of my post.

 

[Zippyjuan]

There are two different Red Cross organizations. One is the International Red Cross and there is the American Red Cross. But I think most of their positions are voluntary so if you were hoping to get paid, they may not be what you are looking for. I think probably most such groups are- unless perhaps you are an administrator. http://www.redcross.org/portal/site...toid=f84f00d61830f110VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD But volunteering may give you a better idea if you really want to get involved as well as to get some experience and contacts. May check out some of the groups listed here as a starting point: http://www.disastercenter.com/agency.htm

 

[Austrian Econ Disciple]

Disasters are infrequent, and most Response Departments are through municipalities. So you will be working for the city Government, if you don't mind that sort of thing. I am unaware of any private institution that offers that job (Why would you want to compete with an entity that can shut you out in a heartbeat, not to mention most "official" disaster response is from Government entities, but the most comes from the common person, who doesn't get paid). You could always become a firefighter, EMS, or other such position.

 

[MelissaWV]

Volunteer firefighter is a fair option, but you will be "getting dirty" doing that to a large extent.

My advice would be to research nonprofit organizations in your area. Start small, and scoot up the ladder. There are a lot of small charities that do things the old-fashioned way as much as advisable, which is to say they rely on community events, fundraisers, and straight-up donations for their funding. The pay will be very low, but you can gain experience to move on to something bigger if you'd like.

Most "disasters" are actually quite slow-going. Poverty is a disaster in this country, for instance, and one which is veiled by those who find the Government teat and suckle for generations on it. There are still, however, people in shelters or living out of their cars, and people living at the YMCA/YWCA, and people who are almost to that point, but not quite. That's a sad place to be in, where everything's slowly being taken away, and the Government will tell you that you must be "poor enough" and "the right kind of candidate" for aid. There are precious few organizations that offer a helping hand before you fall into the really hard to get out of bottom of the barrel.

So, for administrative purposes, I would definitely say to find yourself a relatively small charity/nonprofit and get your foot in the door. Being near as possible to where the money is spent might give you that sense of accomplishment you were probably seeking from wanting to be in a "disaster response" organization.

 

[djdellisanti4]

I believe, and i could be wrong, but Blackwater did a lot of clean up/protection in New Orleans.

 

[Icymudpuppy]

Salvation Army.