With Hurricane Irma projected to barrel into Florida this weekend, American Red Cross officials are looking to add to their ranks with individuals from the four-county region.
“Since no one knows the impact Irma will have on our southern states, we want to prepare for the worst, but hope for the best,” said Dan Tobin, spokesman for the American Red Cross Western Pennsylvania Region, the same day the Category 5 storm pounded the Caribbean.
For Western Pennsylvania, there are 2,000 volunteers, many of whom are able to deploy, but many others are unable because of work, family and other reasons, he said.
Now the Red Cross will offer 13 sheltering boot camps throughout 28 counties to individuals who want help with the disaster relief operation. A free camp is scheduled Sept. 13 at the Sawyer Evangelical Church from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 777 South Kendall Ave., just outside of Bradford.
“Usually, when a person volunteers while a current relief operation is underway, that person is trained and begins to work in his/her own community. Then, that person is eligible to be deployed on future relief efforts,” Tobin said.
He called the boot camp a condensed version of the normal shelter training session. Those who attend and who wish to deploy have to pass a background check, be at least 18 years old and meet other criteria.
“Going through the training does not guarantee a deployment,” Tobin said. “What it does is guarantee that we have additional people trained who are able to deploy should the storm cause extensive damage that causes a greater need for shelters.”
This could be the second hurricane in matter of days to which American Red Cross volunteers have responded. Volunteer Polly Pierce of Kane journeyed to Texas to help Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts.
“It was heartbreaking yet heartwarming. It was stressful, yet inspiring. It was devastating yet hopeful,” Pierce said. “It was a time of rebuilding… rebuilding hopes and dreams, rebuilding friendships and rebuilding what is most important in life.”
She said she will now be spending time at home with her son. It has been several days since she saw him.
“So I’ll spend some time with him and make my decisions in the next couple of weeks where to go from there,” Pierce said. “I heard Irma is one of three hurricanes stirring. I’m sure there will be plenty to do in the next couple of months.”
As of Thursday afternoon, McKean County Department of Emergency Services Director Andrew Johnson said the county had not received requests for personnel or resources for impending Hurricane Irma.
“If/when we do receive any requests, we would first ensure that sending those resources out of state would not adversely affect our ability to respond to incidents inside McKean County,” he said.
On Thursday, PEMA Director Richard Flinn notified county Emergency Management Coordinators, asking them to remind first responders that official requests for assistance will come through PEMA via Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a mutual-aid agreement between states and territories of the United States.
For more information about becoming a Red Cross volunteer and Sheltering Boot Camp, visit redcrosswpa.blogspot.com.
