Red Cross hosts open house
By Lori O'Brien, Correspondent
SPRINGFIELD For 125 years, American Red Cross volunteers have answered the call when disaster strikes, and area residents interested in becoming part of that experience are welcome to attend an open house on Jan. 9.
The Pioneer Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, located at 506 Cottage St., will host an open house from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to introduce its staff and current volunteers, as well as showcase its volunteer opportunities.
"Disaster volunteers enjoy a team atmosphere and work as a group to respond to local disasters providing relief," said Brenda Brouillette, Assistant Director of Disaster Services of the American Red Cross' Pioneer Valley Chapter. "Training is free and those interested can become certified to respond to large-scale national disasters."
Disasters can come in many forms and at any time. Brouillette noted during an interview with Reminder Publications that the Red Cross recently assisted 108 people whose homes were affected by fire, and provided more than 1,200 emergency services workers with nourishment as they dealt with the largest hazardous materials incident in the state when a sulfuric acid leak impacted residents in Granby and South Hadley.
"Since the beginning of the fiscal year, we have tripled the amount of money spent on direct client services over the same period last year," said Brouillette.
The Hazmat incident occurred on Oct. 30 at 775 New Ludlow Road in South Hadley when sulfuric acid from a tank at the Presstek printing company leaked approximately 1,500 gallons into a concrete pit surrounding the tank, according to Brouillette.
"The nature of the spill and the vapors resulting forced the evacuation of 60 homes in the neighborhood," she said, adding "the American Red Cross provided a respite center and food to the approximately 1,200 public safety workers."
The Red Cross managed the respite center/shelter at the Granby High School for evacuated Granby residents from Oct. 30-Nov. 1 providing meals, refreshments and sleeping quarters for those residents who did not have family or friends to stay with. Twenty-four Red Cross volunteers staffed the operation throughout the incident, many carrying multiple shifts assisting with food prep and service at both the Hazmat site and the Granby High School. The Tabernacle Baptist Church also provided access to its church home to allow for food preparation and service for the hundreds of meals and snacks provided to emergency crews.
People from all walks of life are encouraged to stop in during the open house to learn more about how they can get involved, said Brouillette.
"Disaster team members include retirees, husband and wife teams, college students, and bilingual individuals," she said, adding "current volunteers will be on hand during the open house to talk about their experiences and welcome prospective volunteers."
Demonstrations during the open house will include a mock disaster call which will give participants a feel of what it's like when the Red Cross receives the "middle of the night fire call" and how they connect with their volunteers, assemble the team, and what volunteers do at a site.
"What we look for in a good volunteer is a sense of compassion and a willingness to learn," said Brouillette. "We have some volunteers who respond to nearly all of the disaster calls we get, and others who we rely on if we need to open a shelter for a large local disaster. You can set your own level of involvement."
For more information on the open house or on becoming a disaster volunteer, call the American Red Cross at 737-4306, ext. 911.
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