TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– First responders and volunteers for the American Red Cross took part in a training event Saturday to prepare for natural disasters.
Claire Will, the disaster response coordinator for the southwest Indiana region of the American Red Cross, said they try and tailor the events towards the communities they hold them in.
“We have a lot of single-family fires here in the Terre Haute area and in our region and in this area so we want to get as many volunteers registered and trained up to be able to respond to those events, and even larger-scale events as well,” she said.
Those on hand also learned about the process of working with residents impacted by disasters, and how to use the resources the American Red Cross provides. Will said being prepared for whatever may come is one of the main goals of the organization.
“I’ve been with the Red Cross for almost two years now, and the amount of people that we have helped, not only in this community but in the nation, is huge,” she said. “I’ve been a part of a lot of larger operations as well and it’s crazy to think that I am able to be a part of this and help so many people because you really see the impact the Red Cross has both locally and nationally.”
Will said they are able to get this training done in one day, allowing them to be ready when the time may come– and she also said it helps them build camaraderie with other first responders.
“They knock out their training all in one day, and it’s good to for them to meet other responders in their area and get to know their staff and who they’ll be working with,” she said.
