X

Red Cross plans overview course on disaster services June 5 in Potsdam

Posted 6/4/12

POTSDAM -- The American Red Cross of Northern New York is offering Disaster Services: An Overview, the core course for disaster volunteers, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 5 at the Potsdam Civic …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Red Cross plans overview course on disaster services June 5 in Potsdam

Posted

POTSDAM -- The American Red Cross of Northern New York is offering Disaster Services: An Overview, the core course for disaster volunteers, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 5 at the Potsdam Civic Center Community Board Room.

This course helps participants understand how they can help their community prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies and disasters.

Sheltering and feeding are what the Red Cross is known for, but to get that job done requires people with logistics, administration and public relations skills. On a disaster some volunteers work directly with those impacted while others coordinate relief support with community and government agencies and corporate partners. You may see some volunteers driving an emergency response vehicle while others may be taking a shift in the county Emergency Services Center.

It’s possible to see volunteers coordinating with FEMA to arrange supplies to be distributed or ensuring that the communications and computer networks -- necessary for efficient operation -- continue functioning. All of the duties and opportunities to volunteer during a disaster require training provided to disaster volunteers free of cost.

The Red Cross of Northern New York is willing to work with people to best utilize their talents, and to train them to help serve the community.

To register for Disaster Services: An Overview call the Potsdam Office at 268-0102.