Press release from Red Cross of Western North Carolina:
Home fires and other disasters can occur any time, any place – even during a pandemic. Red Cross disaster volunteers continue to serve our neighbors in need every day. Volunteers provide comfort, hope, and resources when it is needed the most. The Red Cross is looking for volunteers to serve as Disaster Action Team members in Cherokee, Cherokee, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain, Buncombe, Madison, Yancey, McDowell, Mitchell, and Rutherford Counties.
The American Red Cross created the Disaster Action Team concept in 1964 to provide immediate assistance to individuals impacted by small-scale, local disasters such as house fires. The Red Cross provides assistance with food, clothing, lodging and other essentials. In addition, the Red Cross can provide health, mental health, and spiritual care to support their recovery. To this day, Disaster Action Team volunteers respond to over 60,000 house fires a year across the country. In fact, in the Greater Carolinas region, volunteers responded to 1,210 house fires and disasters last year.
“Disaster Action Team volunteers are the foundation of our local disaster response,” stated Megan Robinson, Red Cross Executive Director. “In the last twelve months, there were 166 home fires and disasters in these 13 counties. Our team needs more volunteers to respond to these disasters.”
These positions require strong written and verbal communication skills, along with the ability to work in challenging conditions. Disaster Responder volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. Free online training is provided to all new volunteers. Due to COVID-19, response procedures have been modified to include enhanced precautions and provide mostly virtual support to ensure the safety of our volunteers.
Please rest assured that we are working with public health officials to help keep local communities and our volunteers safe. Search and apply for positions at www.redcross.org/volunteertoday or contact Adrian Mines at 828-450-4087 or via email at adrian.mines@redcross.org.
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