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Health Care and
Mental Health Professionals Needed for Disaster Relief Operations
Darke County, OH May 12, 2011 Being able to deliver meals, provide a
safe and dry place to sleep and material items only partially meets the
needs of those whose lives have been destroyed by disaster; just as
important is the crucial mental health casework and meeting medical
needs. Imagine a city during a time of crisis without basic
health care or mental health support, imagine the chaos of immediately
losing all you have home, loved ones and your livelihood.
The American Red Cross continually seeks
professionals to deploy on disasters and is currently recruiting for
operations in the South. While most volunteers spend three weeks
on disaster operations, considerations for shorter trips (starting at
ten days) are considered for these professionals. Volunteer must
complete a credentialing process, background check, paperwork and two
basic Red Cross disaster courses. The American Red Cross, through
the generosity of the American people, assume the costs of travel and
incidentals while volunteers are in the field and there is no charge
for the disaster classes, which can be submitted for CEU’s (CEU cost is
the responsibility of the participant) .
Disaster Services: An Overview is divided into
two modules: the first module introduces disaster preparedness and
response at the American Red Cross and is done on-line and the second
module is instructor led. This class will be taught at the Darke County
Chapter, in Greenville, OH on May 23rd from 6:00-9:00 and will include
orientation. Potential volunteers from all over the Miami Valley will
be in the class. Online module should be completed before class.
On May 25th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. both the Health Services
Response Workshop and the Foundations of Disaster Mental Health are
being offered at the Northern Miami Valley Chapter, in Troy, OH. Once
again, this class will be for all Miami Valley residents.
Both the overview and the professional class
are required to be completed before deployment. These classes are being
geared for volunteers who are looking to deploy in disasters this
spring; for those who wish to stay local, contact your local chapter or
www.redcross.org under Take a Class. The need for nurses, EMT’s,
Paramedics and Mental Health professionals is critical, one nurse can
make a difference in so many lives, and one social worker can make a
life-long difference in a person’s recovery. Class spots are
limited pre-registration is required by calling the Darke County
Chapter at 548-1002 emailing gumpl@darkecounty.redcross.org
or by logging in at www.redcross.org
Those who want to help the people affected by these disasters, as well
as countless crises at home and around the world, but can’t volunteer
can make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief.
Their gift will enable the Red Cross to prepare for and provide
shelter, food, emotional support and other disaster assistance. To make
a donation, people can visit www.redcross.org
or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Contributions may also be sent to the Darke
County Chapter at 130 Martz Street, Greenville, OH.
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