Red Cross needs Disaster Management volunteers

If you would like to help your fellow citizens should a disaster strike, consider joining the Red Cross Disaster Management Program in your community. The Team is a group of highly-trained volunteer community members who provide relief in the form of basic necessities – food, shelter and clothing – to people affected by tornado, flood, fire and other emergencies.

Applicants for this program must undergo an interview and a Child Abuse and Criminal Records Check. The Red Cross provides the mandatory First-Aid and Team training. Team members are subsidized for any incurred expenses, and they work with at least one other member.

Members are expected to be on-call on a rotating basis or as their personal schedules allow. Call-outs may be rare, however, so meetings and/or outings will take place to keep people involved and informed of growth opportunities.

In the event of a large-scale disaster, such as a forest fire or past events like the arrival of the Kosovo refugees or 9-11, many volunteers would be required.

Those with previous or present disaster response skills are particularly welcomed, but those with a strong willingness to assist those in need are also encouraged to apply. All team members must have a reliable vehicle.

During our previous large-scales events, many local people participated – and many were officially trained with the Red Cross in the months that followed. During Katrina, however, where volunteers came from various parts of Canada and the US, it was realized that all Red Cross members had not received the same training. As a result of this finding, all previously-trained and new members must receive the same training.

Meanwhile, the public is invited to “Red Cross 101,” an evening when the basics of the Red Cross will be shared and questions answered. The event takes place at the Red Cross offices, 10 Pelton Drive in the Kentville Industrial Park, Wednesday, Oct. 24, 7 – 8 p.m.

The next Level One training course will take place in the coming months. This course is mandatory for those with previous Red Cross training, as well as new volunteers.