Man made and Natural Disasters occur more frequently that not. After Tornadoes, Hurricanes and House Fires, The goal of the American Red Cross is to help those affected return to some form of normalcy and soon as possible. NBC 38’s Maria Jones explains how their constant training locally and nationally helps them make a difference and speedy recovery in thousands of lives every year. 95 percent of the American Red Cross is staffed by Volunteers. And Officials say, having trained Volunteers is vital in responding to emergencies. Jeffery Biggs, Ex. Dir Covington County Red Cross stated, “It’s important for us to get training, to make sure that we treat every single client with the same level of respect and service that they deserve. So that whenever someone is affected here in Opelika, they get the same level of treatment and response, that someone in New Orleans or Houston or Birmingham or Montgomery gets.” A week-long Training session is being held at the Southern Union Community College in Opelika to educate responders by giving them the tools they need to respond locally and nationally. Ike Pigott, Communications Director with the Red Cross South East Region added,

“We want to be able to bring in resources from wherever we can. We start close and then we start moving out to other states and even other parts of the country and its really important that those people who are coming from across from the country have the same training so that we can literally plug them in like interchangeable Lego’s and get them involved immediately in an operation. ”As Second Responders Members of the American Red Cross respond to more than 50-thousand single family house fires annually always trying to help those families get back on their feet as quickly as possible. Jennifer Ryan/Ex. Dir. Lee County Red Cross stated, “A fire isn’t a major disaster to most people, but it’s your family it’s a major disaster. And we have to respond the same way. We have to take care of those clients immediate emergency needs. Food, Clothing Shelter, Mental Health, Medications, what ever they may have lost.” For WLTZ NBC 38, I’m Maria Jones.

If you’d like to become a volunteer with the Lee County Red Cross or make a donation call (334) 749-9981 or log on to www.leeredcross.org.