Red Cross stresses need for Disaster Response Volunteers

SPOKANE— The Greater Inland Northwest has been under a deluge of rain and flood warnings for the past week. With each consecutive day, the compound risk of a significant weather-related disaster event increases.

As a volunteer driven humanitarian organization, having local people trained and ready to respond to neighbors in need is a critical element of our success. The American Red Cross is in a constant state of recruiting, training and deploying individuals from every corner of the United States. Current conditions in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho put the need for volunteers in these specific communities clearly in focus.

“Now is the time we need volunteers to sign up and get trained,” said Executive Director Megan Snow. “We’re looking for people who will not only help prepare their communities for emergencies, but have the skills to respond and support their friends, family and neighbors when disaster strikes.”

Every single day, the American Red Cross helps people from assisting a family after a house fire to shelter hundreds forced to evacuate due to a wildfire. All our work is made possible by the generosity of others who give their time and talents to the organization.

For more information about becoming a volunteer, contact the American Red Cross serving the Greater Inland Northwest at: (509) 326-3330. Or register online at: www.redcross.org and click on “volunteer.”