The American Red Cross Association is looking for more volunteers as the winter months approach. They’re holding outreach events in eastern Kentucky to share information about the organization and hopefully sign people up.
Debbie Ranier is Executive Director of the Eastern Kentucky chapter of the organization. She said they need three different categories of volunteers. First, Disaster Action Teams serve as a source of refuge and comfort emotionally and financially in an emergency. Shelter Associates work in shelter dormitories and provide hot meals. Ranier said the last group is made up of medical professionals.
“And then we are also looking for Disaster Health Services Volunteers. And that’s professional skills come in. Licensed health care providers. They can deliver hands on care to people in shelters,” said Ranier.
Ranier said the need for volunteers is at an all-time high.
“Especially for all the hurricane activity and the disasters that have been occurring lately. But also, our largest disaster is our home fire fires. Those are what we respond to every day in Eastern Kentucky, even in the summertime,” said Ranier.
Ranier said house fires are the most common disasters volunteers are called out to. Her chapter responded to over 300 of them last year and provided $300,000 in assistance. Ranier said the risk of house fires increases in the winter when people use alternative heat sources.
The Red Cross Eastern Kentucky Chapter will host an outreach event on October 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fuzzy Duck in downtown Morehead.