American Red Cross Hosts Disaster Preparedness Training Course in Dutchess County
Albany, New York (August 11, 2015) – The American Red Cross will host Shelter Fundamentals, a disaster preparedness training course, for the communities of Millerton, Dover, Pawling, and Amenia in Dutchess County from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Monday, September 21, 2015. The mission of this event is to promote community resiliency in the event of a disaster by encouraging efficient and effective emergency responses. The Red Cross invites all members of these communities and surrounding areas to participate.
“Motivating people and organizations to take preparedness actions is one of our community resiliency goals,” said Rebecca Wilson, volunteer for the American Red Cross. “By offering Shelter Fundamentals, we are providing the community with the skills and knowledge to better withstand and recover from a disaster.”
Shelter Fundamentals is a preliminary course that introduces the guidelines and procedures required to establish and conduct a Red Cross shelter operation during a disaster. The instructor-led course incorporates a case study to simulate the phases of the Sheltering Cycle: Opening, Organizing, Operating, and Closing. Upon completion of the course participants will be able to describe the tasks of a shelter worker, complete a registration form and make a referral, and explain the appropriate registration and dormitory set-up for a shelter.
Michael Raphael, Response Manager for the American Red Cross Eastern New York Region, will lead the disaster preparedness training course with support from the Dutchess County Resiliency and Human Services Disaster Response Sheltering Sub-Committee.
The disaster preparedness training will take place in the community room at the Amenia Town Hall (4988 Route 22, Amenia, New York, 12501). The event is free of charge and open to the public. Anyone interested in attending should contact Dawn Klingner at (845) 373-8860 ext.101 or at dmklingner@ameniany.gov in order to pre-register for the course.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org.
