Red Cross training session a noteworthy event

by: Bill Liblick

When Sullivan County confronts a disaster, the American Red Cross has always been there for us. People always inquire how they can do their fair share in helping those in need when a catastrophe strikes. They quickly learn that training is needed before the Red Cross can utilize their services.

On Saturday May 17, the Red Cross will be conducting a training session in emergency preparedness and disaster response. The program, which will be held at Monticello High School from 9 am to 5 pm, should be of interest to all residents.

Theresa Bischoff, CEO, of the American Red Cross in Greater New York told me “Without our dedicated volunteers, there wouldn’t be a Red Cross to help Sullivan County during the many daily emergencies and larger disasters. Without more county residents joining us as volunteers, we cannot be ready to help during local emergencies such as fires, hurricanes and other storms, power outages and other disasters that affect the county.”

“All that we do could not be accomplished without the support of our volunteers who give their time, energy, caring and commitment to the Red Cross and the people of Sullivan. Their indispensable role every day provides crucial immediate humanitarian assistance when Sullivan residents are most distraught, most vulnerable, most in need. Our work makes a big difference to those touched by disaster.”

Volunteers attending the session will become acquainted with Red Cross disaster response procedures and polices. Providing comfort to people affected by emergencies, and running a shelter will be discussed.

Those who attend the day event will have completed all required registration and training needed to qualify as shelter reserve volunteer.

Volunteers will be asked to participate in four additional Red Cross events during each year that will include disaster responses, drills, and additional training.

Sullivan County legislator Elvin Wood who represents the area hardest hit by recent flood disasters called on residents to attend the Red Cross training session. “Unfortunately, our area has been subject to several horrific flooding emergencies over the past five years, but in each case, the volunteers from the American Red Cross have been on site to provide shelter, food, clothing and emergency supplies for our impacted and displaced residents, and with each emergency they continue to assist our residents for as long as they are needed.”

Wood added “without the assistance of the regional Red Cross representatives and especially the local certified Disaster volunteers, many of our residents would have lacked basic necessities for days, if not weeks, following these emergencies.”

Village of Monticello Trustee Carmen Rue, a long supporter of the American Red Cross, also urges Sullivan County residents to attend the training session, “through the dedicated work of Red Cross volunteers the lives of many disaster survivors have been made easier. Anyone looking for an opportunity to be of genuine, important service in our local community should think about working with the Red Cross.”

Recent Red Cross responses to major emergencies in Sullivan County included the Red Cross monitoring the heavy rains of last month. Shelters were opened, but thankfully the storm did not warrant did not warrant any evacuations.

But, last year and the year before that they were. 

In 2007, The Red Cross opened a reception center for residents at the Roscoe School in Sullivan County and provided meals, mental health counseling, disaster chaplain services, personal care items and clean-up kits. 

While in 2008, The Red Cross opened shelters due to severe flooding in Loch Sheldrake, Eldred, and in Lake Huntington. More than 2,200 kosher and non-kosher meals were served.

Sullivan County residents are known to unite in times of need. To attend this worthwhile event, call 1-877-RED CROSS, extension 2068.

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