BUFFALO, N.Y. – The American Red Cross, Greater Buffalo Chapter is currently seeking volunteers for its Disaster Action Team (DAT). Every year, the Red Cross responds to national and local emergencies such as residential fires and devastating storms, much like last year’s “October Surprise.”

“The Red Cross continually advocates preparedness,” Nancy Blaschak, executive director of the Greater Buffalo Chapter, said. “Recruiting new DAT volunteers is critical to the chapter’s being prepared to respond to disasters and emergencies throughout the Greater Buffalo community and when national disasters occur.”

DAT volunteers enable people to resume their normal activities independently after a disaster occurs. The volunteers are efficiently trained to help victims with their emergency-based needs such as shelter, food, clothing and mental health services.

“Not only do our DAT volunteers respond to local emergencies, like fires and floods,” Blaschak said, “but they also respond to national disasters like 9-11 and the hurricanes in Florida. In fact, two DAT volunteers are currently serving in Florida, helping victims of the tornadoes that recently hit that area.”

“Helping others to begin to cope with loss, change, and sometimes trauma makes this volunteer work worth every minute of lost sleep,” stated co-chair of the disaster mental health service team, Tara Hughes. “People ask me how I can do this

work – I always think ‘How could I not do this work?’”

The next classes being offered by the Red Cross for new DAT volunteers include:

· Local Disaster Response -- March 12 and 28,

· Disaster Assessment -- April 23

· Shelter Operations -- March 7, 21, and 26

· Client Casework -- April 11 and 18

· Community Service Overview -- March 5, 14, and 21.

Shelter Simulation and Disaster Health Services courses are still pending.

For more information and times on DAT volunteer courses, please call (716) 878-2387 or (716) 878-2364. Information can also be obtained by visiting the chapter’s website at www.buffaloredcross.org.

The American Red Cross, Greater Buffalo Chapter prepares for, and responds to, community disasters and emergencies and helps people lead safe and healthy lives. The American Red Cross is one of the oldest and largest volunteer driven organizations in the United States and locally depends on the contributions of 800 volunteers to provide its emergency services and health education program.