Red Cross to hold local trainings for new disaster response volunteers

Here’s the press release from the American Red Cross:

American Red Cross to Hold Trainings for
New Disaster Response Volunteers

GREENVILLE, SC, Friday, December 6, 2013 — Tony Reid, Regional Disaster and Programs Officer of the American Red Cross of the Western Carolinas, announced today that the Red Cross will be conducting New Disaster Responder Boot Camp trainings on Saturday, December 14, from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at two Red Cross locations. The trainings will be held at the Red Cross office at 940 Grove Road, Greenville, SC and at the Red Cross office at 100 Edgewood Road, Asheville, NC.

“Volunteers are key to delivering vital disaster relief services in our community.” said Reid. “With winter quickly approaching we are looking for people who would be willing to become trained disaster responders to help when our community faces the impact of winter weather.” According to Reid, “we also see an increase in home fires and multi-unit apartment fires in the winter. Having a newly trained and expanded disaster volunteer workforce helps the American Red Cross be prepared to face any type of disaster that can impact our community.”

On Saturday, new volunteers can take three basic courses: Disaster Services: an Overview, Shelter Fundamentals and Disaster Assessment Basics. Once completed, the newly trained volunteers who have finished the application process, orientation and background check will be ready to provide shelter assistance on behalf of the Red Cross.

Residents who are interested in serving their community in times of disaster as part of the American Red Cross team can register for the training by sending an e-mail to WCRDVM@redcross.org. They can also contact Tanya Carter at 864-282-8654 to register by phone for the Greenville SC training or Dawn Huff at 828-258-3888, ext 228 to register for the training in Asheville, NC.

You can help people affected by disasters like home fires, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. Visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Contributions may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.