Red Cross hosting disaster responder bootcamp on August 31 – volunteers to learn essential skills for helping the South Carolina during a disaster

Here in South Carolina, we are no strangers to any sort of disaster. Whether it’s a flood event, tornado, or a hurricane, the American Red Cross responds, providing food and shelter to those who have lost everything. Now, the Red Cross is looking for volunteers who want to be trained to quickly take action to help their community should a hurricane or other disaster strike.

During the one-day Disaster Responder Bootcamp next week, volunteers will learn the essentials of responding to a disaster. In just eight hours, participants will become qualified to feed and shelter members of their community during a disaster. In addition to classroom instruction, the boot camp features interactive case studies, with volunteers learning how to help individuals, families and communities to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters.

“As a Red Cross volunteer, you can help provide your friends and neighbors with a safe place to stay during a disaster,” said Louise Welch Williams, regional CEO for the American Red Cross in South Carolina. “Take action now, to help care for your community in times of need.”

After completing the Disaster Responder Bootcamp, participants will receive their initial training to become qualified to help their neighbors in case of a local disaster. Plus, this is the first step to becoming eligible to deploy to large disasters across the country. Right now more than 70 people from South Carolina are supporting the disaster relief operation in Louisiana. In the past year, local Red Cross volunteers traveled to West Virginia, Texas, Louisiana, California, and Canada to help families affected by floods, wildfires, and tornados.

“One of my favorite things about volunteering in a shelter is getting to meet amazing people,” said John McCombs, a volunteer with the Red Cross. “There is nothing more rewarding than being able to help my community and provide a temporary home to those who have lost everything.”

Disaster Responder Bootcamp

• Wednesday, August 31, 2016
• 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• 2751 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201
• Register: Erin Tyler, [email protected] or 803-540-1242

Due to the limited number of spots available for the Disaster Responder Bootcamp, pre-registration is required.

For people interested in volunteering with the Red Cross but unable to attend the bootcamp, visit redcross.org to learn more about the many volunteer opportunities and how to submit a volunteer application.

Volunteers make up more than 90 percent of the Red Cross workforce. These volunteers represent a variety of backgrounds and receive free training. Volunteers with the Red Cross can set flexible schedules in volunteer positions that appeal to their specific skills or interests. To learn more about volunteering, visit redcross.org/southcarolina.