Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers help out in times of need. They work side by side with firefighters and other emergency personnel to make sure victims receive immediate relief.
"And immediate relief would be food, clothing, shelter, replacing medication, eyeglasses, medical equipment--things that somebody needs right now," he said.
Jackie Kennedy, Red Cross executive board member, said they don’t just respond to large-scale disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes. The number one disaster they respond to, she says, is single-family house fires.
A Disaster Action Team basic level training course for anyone interested in volunteering will be held tonight (1/7) from 6 to 9 at the Springfield Red Cross Disaster Services office.
"We're really looking for people in the local community to come and support. We're in desperate need of volunteers," she said.
Other courses are planned for February and March in Joplin and Lebanon.
Find out more about becoming a Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteer and about the training courses here.
Phone numbers for the Red Cross area offices:
Springfield: (417) 832-9500 (training scheduled for January 7)
Joplin: (417) 624-4411 (training scheduled February 4)
Lebanon: (417) 533-8121 (training scheduled March 10)
