Red Cross seeking volunteers for ‘disaster season’

The Hawaii Red Cross is putting out a call for more volunteers, the organization announced Wednesday on the first day of the hurricane season that runs through November.

“We’re preparing for disaster season, and it’s critical to have a trained, ready volunteer workforce to make sure we can provide relief at a moment’s notice,” said Diane Peters-Nguyen, CEO of the American Red Cross, Pacific Islands Region.

“Disasters can happen quickly, and we need to have more local volunteers prepared to respond!”

Volunteers are needed to:

● Support disaster shelters, helping with reception, registration, dormitory, information collection and compassionate care for clients.

● Address people’s health needs in disaster shelters and provide hands-on care in alignment with their professional licensure (registered nurse and licensed practical nurse/licensed vocational nurse and EMTs). Daily observation and health screening for COVID-like illness among shelter residents may also be required. Both worker and supervisory-level opportunities are available.

● Help out on Local Disaster Action Teams, which provide 24-hour emergency response to local disasters, particularly home fires, ensuring that those affected have access to resources for basic necessities such as food, shelter and clothing. Should major disasters strike this year, the Red Cross plans to open congregate shelters. It will also continue many of the safety precautions implemented during the pandemic, including masking, cleaning procedures and encouraging social distancing when and where possible.

This year, the Pacific Islands Region has provided immediate emergency assistance to 515 people after 80 home fires and other disasters.