American Red Cross of Western New York preparing volunteers for disaster relief

Henrietta, N.Y. — The American Red Cross of Western New York invited volunteers to boot camp on Wednesday.

The training prepares people to deploy and support disaster relief operations locally and nationally.

Volunteers make up 90% of the Red Cross workforce.

Red Cross volunteers provide critical disaster relief services such as shelter, supplies, and emotional and mental health support during disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, and floods.

“What we’re finding is that we are in a state of continuous disaster response,” said Jessica Conte, disaster workforce engagement manager for the American Red Cross of Western New York. “Across our local footprint, community, with home fires, we’re responding pretty much every day. And then at the national level— the hurricanes, floods, tornadoes—those are constant.

Deployments typically last two weeks, and the Red Cross has an ongoing need for health care professionals.

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