Disasters like this summer's wildfires and flooding are becoming more common, and being prepared is more vital than ever. The Red Cross of Southern and Western Colorado are hosting free disaster preparedness trainings in Buena Vista and Gunnison next week, teaching simple steps you can take now to help prepare and protect your family in case of an emergency.

• Buena Vista: Monday, Nov. 9, from 12 to 12:45 p.m. at the Sangre de Cristo Electric Association Community Room, 29780 U.S. 24 North.
• Gunnison: Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. at the Gunnison County Public Library – Community Room B, 1 Quartz St.

The Be Red Cross Ready program is designed to help people understand, prepare for and respond appropriately to disasters. 

Be Part of the Red Cross 

Following the Be Red Cross Ready trainings, informational sessions will be held in Buena Vista until 1:30 p.m. and Gunnison until 6 p.m. to share more about how we are active across the state and discuss ways that you can get involved. The American Red Cross of Colorado serves 21 counties each in its Southern Colorado and Western Colorado chapters.

Whether you’re already a volunteer and looking for more ways to serve, you’re interested in getting involved in the mission or simply curious about how the Red Cross supports local communities, we’d love to meet you. This is a great way to meet some local staff and volunteers and discover how you can make a meaningful impact right in your own community.

The Red Cross is looking for volunteers in the following roles:  

• Shelter Team Members: Help provide safe shelter, comfort, and support to families during disasters and emergencies. You can choose to stay local and volunteer in evacuation shelters in your community or deploy to large disasters outside of Colorado – or both! 
• Disaster Action Team: Respond to local disasters such as home fires by helping families with immediate needs, comfort items, and recovery support. 

No prior experience is necessary — training is provided, and there are opportunities for many schedules and skill sets. There are many other volunteer positions available!

To register for these events or for more details, please contact Josh Stewart at (970) 545-2795 or joshua.stewart@redcross.org.  

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.