LIHU‘E — The American Red Cross, Kaua‘i branch, can always use disaster volunteers, said Keri Russell, the American Red Cross, Kaua‘i County director. In order to become a disaster volunteer, volunteers must first take a number of classes the American
LIHU‘E — The American Red Cross, Kaua‘i branch, can always use disaster volunteers, said Keri Russell, the American Red Cross, Kaua‘i County director.
In order to become a disaster volunteer, volunteers must first take a number of classes the American Red Cross provides at no cost, according to officials at the Red Cross.
New volunteer candidates must register for, and attend, the entire series.
Russell said the Kaua‘i series started Friday and will run through Sunday, covering disaster services, shelter operations, shelter simulation, disaster assessment basics and an orientation for the disaster action team.
The Kaua‘i director said the resumption of the disaster training series was on her priority list when she assumed the directorship.
“We had people signed up, but there were no scheduled trainings,” she said. “This weekend’s training will take care of the people who were wait listed when I came into the office.”
She said there is always a need for Red Cross volunteers, and she hopes to have the trainings held at different parts of the island at least twice a year.
Russell, Jennifer Walter (who flew in from O‘ahu for the training) and Derrick Vaughns lead the training.
“I signed up as a volunteer because I’m with the Department of Health and we often have to collaborate with others during disasters,” said Thomas Noyes. “It’s good training.”
Noyes was joined by Dr. Randy Blake, the pair normally advocating bicycling and bicycle safety.
“We have people from all parts of the island,” Russell said. “McDonald’s restaurants has a lot of their managers signed up, we have several nurses and the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa has representatives from their security department,” Russell said.
The American Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters a year across the country.
The organization provides about 400,000 services to military members, veterans and civilians and trains more than seven million people in first aid, water safety and other life-saving skills each year.
In Kaua‘i county, the Red Cross works to help when disaster strikes, when someone needs the comfort of a helping hand.
Last year, the Red Cross on Kaua‘i helped 82 individuals recover from disasters and begin rebuilding their lives.
During flooding, the Red Cross on Kaua‘i opened four shelters, housing 60 people and also provided free disaster training for local volunteers.
Visit www.redcross.org/hi/honolulu to apply as a volunteer or call 245-4919 for more information.
