The volunteer training event, which took place on September 2, is only the first of the training sessions that aspiring volunteers will have to attend. Along with additional training sessions, volunteers will also have to undergo background Checks as well as health assessments before they can officially go to Texas as a Red Cross volunteer.
The training sessions brief volunteers with information about basic food safety, disaster services, and the type of assistance that the Red Cross is providing in response to Hurricane Harvey.
The regional mass care manager for the Red Cross, Brenda Brouillette, said about the volunteer classes and those who attend them:
"Obviously when we have large disasters a lot of people call and want to be part of the process, so we are providing training because we do not send volunteers out without a background check and without training and without what we call their resource kit, or their toolkit, so they feel confident and empowered on the job.”
For more information about the Red Cross, or to view resources such as fact sheets and informational Flyers, visit the Western Massachusetts Red Cross charter website.
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