National Volunteer Week 2015 Red Cross Volunteers Key to Helping Central SC Community

COLUMBIA, SC – Over a 24-hour period in March, Red Cross volunteers rushed to seven locations in the Midlands and helped 23 residents who were victims of home fires or other disasters. They provided temporary lodging, food, clothing, medicine, counseling and referrals to other agencies that can assist in recovery after a fire.

Those volunteers were neighbors, fellow Midlands residents who devote time and expertise to helping others cope with the distress of losing housing, possessions and a sense of security after a disaster.

“Without our volunteers, we wouldn’t be the Red Cross,” said Erin Tyler, volunteer manager for the Central SC chapter. “The volunteers are the core of the organization, the heart of emergency response. They’re the ones you see on the scene wearing the Red Cross jacket, providing victims with immediate assistance.”

The American Red Cross Palmetto Region is taking time during National Volunteer Week to thank the more than 800 volunteers of the Central SC Chapter. Of these, dozens are disaster-trained to cover the emergency needs of individuals in Central SC who have been affected by disasters.

Disaster responses happen at all hours, every day of the year. Although most Red Cross disaster responses are for home fires, the organization also responds to the emergency needs of those affected by other disasters such as flood, tornado, wind and ice storms.

Without volunteers the Red Cross would not be able to respond, both locally and across the country. Statewide, Red Cross has responded to almost 700 emergencies since January, assisting more than 2,350 people. In Central SC, volunteers responded to 225 fires, assisting more than 850 people.

As the need for Red Cross services increases, more volunteers are needed, particularly to become part of the Disaster Action Team (DAT). “The more trained DAT members the Red Cross has, living throughout our service delivery area, the quicker we can respond to individuals devastated by disasters,” Tyler said. “The Red Cross is a volunteer-led organization and the vast majority of DAT responses are handled by volunteers.”

A good candidate for DAT Responder is someone who can respond immediately during an on-call period. The volunteer must be able to operate in stressful situations, be a good listener and communicator, be flexible, a team player, and able to operate in all weather conditions.

The Red Cross provides training so volunteers feel well-equipped and comfortable in their role.

The first step to becoming a Red Cross volunteer is to visit www.redcross.org/sc  and click on “Volunteer.” An account will be created in the volunteer management system, Volunteer Connection, and an individual will be asked to sign up for the Red Cross New Volunteer Orientation where all Red Cross volunteer opportunities are discussed. There are upcoming orientations are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. May 13 and June 10.

“We’re looking for people who want to help others in emergency situations,” said Dave Seawell, disaster program manager for Central South Carolina. “We’re also looking for people who could be DAT leadership, and we’re hoping businesses will help us spread the word. Business skills can be very useful in some of these roles.”

Kathy Tyler, a Red Cross volunteer who lives in Columbia, has been a part of the DAT Team for three years. “People who have been through a traumatic event need help,” she said. “The Red Cross gives me the opportunity to provide that help.”