Oregon Trail Chapter Latest News

Red Cross Presents Disaster Leadership Institute
As hurricane season approaches, volunteers are training for national deployments and readying for disaster here at home

PORTLAND, Ore. – May 8 , 2006 – The American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter will offer the Disaster Leadership Institute, a nine-day training session with the goal of training people to be prepared for disasters, from June 24 to July 2 at the Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel.

The institute is open to the public and will offer more than 50 courses and workshops in disaster relief and emergency response.

Advanced courses are planned for existing Red Cross disaster relief volunteers, and entry level classes are offered to anyone wishing to join the Red Cross volunteer workforce. Course subjects include CPR and First Aid, Public Affairs, Weapons of Mass Destruction, and Disaster Assessment. “Ready Set Roll” will train volunteers to drive and operate the Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) for feeding meals in disaster areas. A mock disaster is planned for the Shelter Operations and Simulation course that teaches volunteers how to set up and operate a Red Cross shelter.

Those in the community who are a nurse or mental health worker are encouraged to attend Disaster Health Services and Mental Health Services to help people affected by disaster.

Ham radio operators may take a technical course so their skills can be applied during a Red Cross disaster relief operation.

Workshops and discussion groups are scheduled as well, such as how to care for animals in times of disaster, and an evening of volunteer photos and films of disaster relief operations.

The Disaster Leadership Institute was created to offer continued training to the more than 1500 new volunteers trained during the Red Cross “fast track” program after Hurricane Katrina. Many of the new volunteers requested additional leadership and supervisory training to support future volunteer efforts.

“We want people to hone their skills and learn what we would need in a disaster,” said Joe Mash, Assistant Director for the Disaster Leadership Institute. “It's important to prepare for disasters like hurricanes in other areas, but we need people to handle what could happen here.” Hurricane season officially starts on June 1.

To register for the classes and workshops, get more information, and see the schedule visit www.redcross-pdx.org or call 503-528-5728.

About American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Local Red Cross volunteers respond to residential fires and other disasters an average of every 32 hours. All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from Oregonians. Financial gifts help provide shelter, food, clothing counseling and other immediate assistance to those in need. Call (503) 284-1234 or visit www.redcross-pdx.org.

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American Red Cross, Oregon Trail volunteers respond to house fires every 32 hours on average.
To assist the Red Cross in providing disaster relief, please call (503) 528-5634.
To prepare yourself and your family for fire or other disasters, go to www.redcross-pdx.org