LOS ANGELES, July 22, 2020 – Experts say we are in for a busy wildfire season this summer and the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region needs the community’s help volunteering at our shelters.
Making sure that communities can turn to the Red Cross after a disaster is at the heart of what we do. The Red Cross is working with local emergency management and public health authorities, following CDC guidance, to make sure people have a safe place to stay should a wildfire necessitate a large emergency shelter.
“Los Angeles is in a position to face a huge disaster with wildfire season and COVID-19 both hitting the community at the same time. We have analyzed the situation and we need help. We need the community’s help,” said Joselito Garcia-Ruiz, Regional Disaster Program Officer for the Red Cross Los Angeles Region. “First, ensure that you and your loved ones are prepared, so you can be available to step up and serve your community. Then sign up to train as a Red Cross volunteer and answer the call to help if the need arises in LA County.”
Click here to see list of all volunteer opportunities available.
HEALTH SERVICES SUPPORT NEEDED If you are an RN, LPN, LVN, APRN, NP, EMT, paramedic, MD/DO or PA with an active, current and unencumbered license, the Red Cross needs your support. Volunteers are needed in shelters to help assess people’s health. Daily observation and health screening for COVID-19-like illness among shelter residents may also be required. RNs supervise all clinical tasks.
Roles are also available for Certified Nursing Assistants, Certified Home Health Aides, student nurses and medical students. We need volunteers who can provide care as delegated by a licensed nurse in shelters. This could include assisting with activities of daily living, personal assistance services, providing health education and helping to replace medications, durable medical equipment or consumable medical supplies.
SHELTER HELP NEEDED There is a special need for volunteers to support sheltering efforts. Because of COVID-19, the Red Cross is placing those needing a safe place to stay in emergency hotel lodging when possible. If hotel stays aren’t possible, then the Red Cross will open traditional shelters. To help keep people safe, we have put in place additional precautions and developed special training for our workforce.
We need volunteers to help staff shelter reception, registration, meal distribution, sleeping arrangement, information collection and other vital tasks to help those we serve. We have both associate and supervisory level opportunities available.
FURRY FRIENDS NEED HELP TOO When people leave their homes during an emergency, they take their pets with them. The Red Cross is looking for established partner organizations to support the pet sheltering effort.
FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING If you are interested in helping our community should a disaster occur, please go to redcross.org/la-covid.
Be sure to review the CDC guidance for people who are at higher risk for severe illness, consult your health care provider and follow local guidance. Our number one priority is the health and safety of our employees, volunteers and the people we serve.
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 redcross.org/la or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA or @CruzRojaLA.