MADISON — Many weather experts predict a destructive wildfire and hurricane season this year. This comes on the heels of a previous busy disaster season, amid an ongoing pandemic and with local disaster responses at a three-year high. The American Red Cross needs volunteers to help on the ground and blood and platelet donors to roll up a sleeve to maintain a stable blood supply in the face of emergencies.
“We’re preparing for another extremely busy disaster season, and it’s critical to have a trained, ready volunteer workforce to make sure we can provide relief at a moment’s notice,” said Mark Thomas, Regional CEO, American Red Cross of Wisconsin. “This year’s wildfire season is already very active and dangerous because of the severe drought and dry woodlands across the west. And experts are predicting we could see 10 or more hurricanes in the upcoming weeks. With local disaster volunteers, we’ll be able prepare more people to respond to disasters in Wisconsin as well as across the U.S.”
Local Disaster Action Teams (DAT) provide 24-hour emergency response to local disasters, particularly home fires, ensuring that those affected have access to resources for basic necessities such as food, shelter and clothing. These local disaster volunteers also gain the training and experience to deploy as humanitarian relief leaders at large-scale disaster responses for incidents like wildfires and floods. If you are team-oriented and want to help your neighbor, the DAT responder may be just the thing for you.
Last year, the Wisconsin Region provided immediate emergency assistance to more than 4,500 people after 833 home fires and other disasters, their busiest season in three years.
If you want to make a difference and are interested in helping your community should a disaster occur here at home or across the country, please contact their volunteer teams at VolunteerWisconsin@redcross.org or by signing up at redcross.org/DAT.
The Red Cross also needs volunteers who can work in disaster shelters to address people’s health needs and provide hands-on care in alignment with their professional licensure (registered nurse and licensed practical nurse/licensed vocational nurse). Daily observation and health screening for COVID-19-like illness among shelter residents may also be required. They have both associate and supervisory level opportunities available. If you are an RN, LPN, LVN, APRN, NP, EMT, paramedic, MD/DO or PA with a current and unencumbered license, this position could be right for you.
After most disasters this year, the Red Cross plans to open group shelters. However, in some communities, hotels may be more appropriate if the risk of COVID-19, including the delta variant, is particularly high. The Red Cross will also continue many of the safety precautions implemented in 2020, including masks, health screenings, enhanced cleaning procedures and encouraging social distancing.
Wildfires, record-breaking heat and a busy hurricane season can also impact the nation’s blood supply. On top of the toll extreme weather events take on the lives of millions, disasters can cause blood drive closures or prevent donors from being able to give safely. Eligible donors can help overcome the critical need for blood and ensure blood is readily available by making an appointment to give by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-733-2767 or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities for Green County:
● Monroe: 12 to 6 p.m. Aug. 19 at Monroe Bible Church, 2613 8th Ave.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 3 at Hope Evangelical Free Church, 2902 13th St.
● Albany: 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at Lions Building, 402 Cincinnati St.
● Brodhead: 12 to 5:30 p.m. Aug. 31 at Congregational United Church of Christ, E201 23rd St.
● New Glarus: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sept. 4 at New Glarus Area EMS, 401 3rd St.
Upcoming opportunities for Lafayette County:
● Argyle: 1 to 6 p.m. Aug. 18 at Cornerstone Lutheran Church, 1540 Old WI 81
● Blanchardville: 1 to 6 p.m. Aug. 16 at American Legion, 218 Mason
