ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The American Red Cross rolled out a new volunteer training program designed to quickly mobilize neighbors to help neighbors during disasters, a response to the overwhelming need witnessed during last year’s hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The Shelter Heroes program requires just three hours of training to prepare volunteers for hands-on disaster response, including shelter operations and meal preparation for evacuees.
“When you put this vest on, it is really incredible,” said Ela Landegger, a longtime Red Cross volunteer. “When you walk into a disaster area wearing a red cross vest, forget all those superheroes of cartoon fame; there is nothing more amazing than when you walk into a neighborhood or shelter wearing that vest, you are a hero to someone in their time of need.”…