The American Red Cross chapter which serves western Iowa and eastern Nebraska is offering a free class tonight for people who want to become disaster volunteers. Chapter spokeswoman Liz Dorland says they’ve heard from many potential recruits after last week’s deadly Oklahoma tornado. Dorland says new volunteers are welcome but they first have to learn the needed skills.
Dorland says, “The Red Cross sends very highly trained workers to the field to be able to provide services, handing out cots, handing out blankets, setting up shelters, doing disaster assessment.” Tonight’s first class will offer an overview on becoming a volunteer that’ll help you to choose a specific area in which to serve.
“If you prefer going out and looking and assessing damage, you can choose from that class, or if you prefer to help set up a shelter, we’ll give you that training as well,” Dorland says. The first class is tonight at 6 o’clock at the Omaha Red Cross Office at 80th and Center Streets.
Register by calling (402) 343-7700 or online at: volunteerconnection.redcross.org.