Red Cross Offering Training For Disaster Action Teams Community Volunteers Make A Difference In Time Of Need By Sherrie Norris In its ongoing efforts to provide immediate response in times of disaster, the Watauga County Chapter of the American Red Cross is taking steps to make sure there are trained volunteers ready to assist when needs arise. As usual, Sonny Sweet, executive director of the local chapter, is always one step ahead of the crisis and along with Cheryl Bickley, disaster services supervisor, wants to make sure the public is aware of a present need and ongoing opportunities to lend a hand when called upon. Some may not be aware of the local Disaster Action Team, or DAT to which it is often referred. Simply put, volunteers who respond to disasters in our community are DAT members, a fully-trained quick response unit of the Red Cross that provides immediate emergency assistance to disaster victims who have experienced house fires or flooding, etc. “Many of our DAT team members might be called upon to supervise shelters if we should need to open them in various communities throughout the area. or to visit with victims of single or multi-family disasters,” Bickley states. “All of the Red Cross disaster teams are on-call and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year (members are on a rotation basis.). She notes that DAT is an all-volunteer force called up by emergency services within the community to give help, and provide hope for residents and emergency workers. The service is not a government-funded agency, but is available by the generosity of local donors. Bickley encourages community members to get involved as a DAT member today by attending one of the following training sessions being offered in Watauga County: · February 15- 7:00 p.m. – Valle Crucis Conference Center · February 17 – 10:00 a.m. – Blowing Rock American Legion Hall · February 17 – 12 noon – Foscoe Christian Church · March 3 – 10 a.m. - Grace Lutheran Church · March 3 – 12 noon – Deep Gap Volunteer Fire Dept. A meeting for the Cove Creek area, to be held at the Community Center will be scheduled in the near future. Bickley encourages the public to take part in these valuable (free!) training sessions, which will cover the following required topics: · Orientation to Red Cross · Introduction to Disaster · Disaster Team Training · Standard First Aid · Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) · Mass Care · Shelter Operations · Damage Assessment · Family Service: Providing Emergency Service. In addition to the above, Disaster Action Team members must meet the following requirements: · Have a valid driver’s license · Have transportation · Have a telephone · Reside in Watauga or Avery Counties or surrounding area · Be at least 18 years old · In good health · Be willing to respond as needed in all types of weather and at all hours of the day or night The American Red Cross acknowledges that DAT team members are some of the agency’s most dedicated volunteers. As always, the local chapter is in need of volunteers for all aspects of their services, according to Bickley, who says, “Whether you want to you in a shelter, during a disaster or work in the office or help with a blood drive, we need your help. All of our volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, which makes this a ‘perfect job description’ for a retiree!” Bickley adds that training in various areas of disaster services is available as needed. For more information, call Bickley or Sonny Sweet at (828) 264-8226.