American Red Cross Reaches out to Community
Volunteers
Darke County, OH May 11, 2011 One of the most crucial jobs done during
times of disaster, is sheltering and the American Red Cross is
responsible for responding immediately to shelter residents who need a
safe place to sleep, stay warm and eat.
Using locally trained volunteers from across the country, it generates
a small “world upon itself” capable of feeding, sleeping, medical
treatment, mental health counseling and casework to begin the recovery
process.
During the Katrina Hurricane Season, hundreds of Darke County
volunteers signed up to take a look at whether disaster training was
for them. Some of these volunteers went south to give aid, others
decided a local operation would be better suited. It takes volunteers
with a host of different skills, interests and training to be able to
accomplish this complex task.
One of the first basic classes taught to new volunteers is how to work
in a Red Cross shelter. What to expect, how to give help, working
together in teams, all start the volunteer’s experience.
The next shelter operation class is being taught May 16th 6:00 p.m. to
8:300 p.m. at the Darke County Chapter’s office, 130 Martz Street,
Suite 6 and is open to all who would like to learn this critical
function. The class is open to volunteers, potential volunteers and
outside organizations who would like to know more about how to
effectively and sensitively manage shelter operations.
During the class participants will learn the procedures for opening,
operating and closing shelters, be able to explain ways to demonstrate
quality service organize available human resources as a shelter
operations team, identify resources available to assist shelter workers
and organize the physical facility and material resources to meet the
needs of the people in the shelter.
Instructor for this class is John Wright who has been active with the
chapter since Hurricane Katrina and who will bring a very practical and
experienced outlook to the classroom materials. Like all training for
disaster volunteers there is no cost for these classes. Class spots are
limited to twenty-five and pre-registration is encouraged by calling
the Darke County Chapter at 548-1002 or emailing gumpl@darkecounty.redcross.org.
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