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One Day Of Training, Lifetime Of Rewards: Become A Shelter Volunteer With Red Cross
One-Day training for Hudson Valley residents at Monticello High School on May 17
The Red Cross Reserve Institute, a comprehensive oneday training program that prepares volunteers to provide assistance at shelters opened by the American Red Cross in Greater New York (ARC/GNY) during local emergencies, will be offered for the residents of the Hudson Valley at Monticello High School on Saturday, May 17. The high school is located at 39 Breakey Avenue and the session for residents of Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Sullivan will be held 9am- 5pm.
The Red Cross Reserve Institute allows volunteers to contribute to the organization's mission to help New Yorkers when shelters are opened during major emergencies throughout the Hudson Valley. The oneday session also will include a Be Red Cross Ready presentation that will help residents personally prepare for any emergency that could affect their homes, their neighborhoods, or the region.
To learn about and register for the Red Cross Reserve Institute in Monticello, call 1-877- RED CROSS (1-877-733- 2767), extension 2068, or visit www.nyredcross.org/ monticelloreserve .
During the Red Cross Reserve Institute, volunteers will become acquainted with Red Cross disaster response procedures and polices, including opening and managing shelters, while also learning about providing comfort for people affected by emergencies. At the conclusion of the session, participants will have completed all required registration and training elements to qualify as local shelter reserve volunteers. All reserve volunteers then participate in just four additional Red Cross events during each year to help sharpen their skills. These events include any combination of disaster responses, drills, meetings and additional training.
ARC/GNY relies on committed and compassionate trained volunteers to help New Yorkers cope daily with fires, power outages, flooding and other small-scale emergencies. To serve New York City and the Hudson Valley during major storms and other disasters, the chapter requires 10,000 trained reserve volunteers to provide shelter, food and counseling.
Recent Red Cross responses to major emergencies in the Hudson Valley include:
-March 2008: During the March 8-10 weekend, the Red Cross remained on alert and monitored weather conditions in case flooding caused evacuations and shelters were opened. Conditions did not warrant evacuations or sheltering.
-June 2007: Due to flooding, the Red Cross opened a reception center for residents at the Roscoe School in Sullivan County and provided meals, mental health counseling, disaster chaplaincy services, personal care items and clean-up kits.
-April 2007: Red Cross volunteers and employees staffed shelters in Orange and Rockland counties as swollen streams and rivers caused flooding and power outages. Schools converted to shelters included Taft Elementary School in Washingtonville and Port Jervis High School.
-March 2007: In Monticello, a Friday night snowstorm forced Short Line buses to halt service, stranding 192 travelers who took refuge in the Monticello senior center. The Red Cross established a shelter (in collaboration with local police/fire departments and the Monticello village manager), serving 200 meals and arranging for two medical assessments by a community partner agency, MobileMedic.
-June 2006: The Red Cross opened shelters due to severe flooding in Orange and Sullivan counties. Locations included Loch Sheldrake Senior Center, Eldred Junior/Senior High School, Sullivan West High School in Lake Huntington and Port Jervis High School. More than 2,200 kosher and nonkosher meals were served.
The American Red Cross in Greater New York is a key humanitarian partner and a vital participant in New York's plans and programs to help the nine million people in New York City and Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Sullivan counties prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. For more information about volunteering, donating and training, call 1-877-RED CROSS (1- 877-733-2767), or visit www.nyredcross.org.
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