BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – In the wake of recent natural disasters such as hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Western New York chapter of the American Red Cross is stepping up its efforts to prepare communities for emergencies.
A volunteer boot camp was held by the Red Cross of WNY on Saturday where participants received all the necessary training needed to be a shelter volunteer.
The American Red Cross is an organization that provides support for people affected by disasters. After Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and swept out neighborhoods down South, thousands of red cross disaster responders from across the country were deployed to help with relief efforts.
Less than two weeks later, Florida was hit with yet another hurricane leaving behind even more damage and not enough volunteers.
“Volunteers man our shelters,” said Katelyn Palumbo, disaster program manager at the WNY Red Cross. “They run and lead a lot of our work. The workforce of the American Red Cross is 90% volunteers.”