American Red Cross is seeking to train 40,000 new volunteers

By Laurie Swenson Pioneer Staff Writer

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the American Red Cross is seeking to train 40,000 new volunteers in the near future. Some concerned citizens in the area took their first steps toward becoming one of those volunteers Saturday when they attended the Red Cross Introduction to Disaster course at the North Star Chapter office in Bemidji.

The course, led by North Star Chapter Executive Director George Stowe, is a prerequisite for anyone who wants to participate in Red Cross Disaster Services. It provides an overview of the Red Cross, including dispelling a few myths.

“We are often misunderstood,” Stowe said. For example, many people think the Red Cross is a government agency or that it receives federal funding, but neither is true. Nor are local chapters funded by the national agency. Chapters are funded through donations and grants. The Red Cross does work with the government, but it is defined as an instrumentality.

Volunteers providing services during a national disaster typically receive a 21-day assignment, with shifts lasting no more than 12 hours. They wear agency vests and an identification tag on a lanyard.

“It’s an experience like no other,” Stowe said. After working with five national disasters, he has determined, “There’s nothing in the world like it.”

The Red Cross responds to more than 50,000 disasters a year, from small house fires to large-scale disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes.

“Our goal is to train 40,000 new volunteers, of which you are a part, that will be serving in the largest disaster in U.S. history,” Stowe said, adding that volunteers will be needed in the hurricane-stricken area for at least two years.

“It will tear at your heart, but you will never forget it,” Stowe said. “I promise you, it’s the greatest thing you will do in your life.”

The volunteers who started their training Saturday will likely have the opportunity to go to the New Orleans area, he said, after additional training. A second course offered in about two weeks will identify volunteers’ specialties, after which they will receive specialized training. Those who will focus directly on the victims will probably receive their specialized training quickly, Stowe said. Their assignments will depend on their interests, skills and availability.

Stowe spoke about a wide variety of ways volunteers can serve. Some will work directly with disaster victims, deliver or distribute food or work with shelters. Others may train and supervise staff, or work with other agencies. Those with technological training may set up computers, phone lines or other services. Registered nurses provide health services in disaster areas, while licensed mental health professionals talk with people in the disaster area and identify those with stress issues. There are many other opportunities as well.

“If you want to go into records and reports, most of the Red Cross workers will fall in love with you,” Stowe said.

Individuals volunteer for a variety of reasons. Some of the people in Saturday’s course wanted to help in any way they could; some were looking for more information about the Red Cross so they could determine how they could help. Volunteers also have differing skills and resources to offer. Stowe noted that volunteers sometimes discover skills they didn’t know they had.

“Our job is bringing human compassion and caring, with a soft voice and a soft touch,” he said.

Sometimes disaster victims are angry and express it, he said. “They’re not mad at you – they’re just mad that it happened.”

Stowe said Hurricane Katrina has revealed the tremendous courage of people. “There are a thousand stories of people helping people that are not being portrayed.”

The volunteer training will be offered again shortly. For more information, call the North Star Chapter at 444-9490 or (800) 969-7798.