Eric Roby, Executive Director of the Palm Beach and Treasure Coast Chapter of the Red Cross, chatting with local volunteers.
PHOTO CREDIT: Veronica Block, America Red Cross Public Affairs
PALM BEACH, FL (July 27, 2022) Despite the current lack of tropical activity in the Atlantic basin, the American Red Cross Palm Beach and Treasure Coast Chapter volunteers and employees continue their year-long efforts to prepare for the forecasted busier-than-normal hurricane season.
On the evening of July 27, 2022, at the Red Cross chapter headquarters in Palm Beach, volunteers and employees met their new Executive Director, Eric Roby--who started earlier this month--and received updates on Red Cross disaster programs and additional training opportunities.
Earlier hurricane readiness efforts organized a few weeks ago by the local Red Cross included a shelter setup simulation and a week's worth of training sessions to ensure local volunteers are ready for when a shelter needs to be opened in the community.
Eric Roby is no stranger to the devastation brought on by hurricanes. As a Palm Beach County resident and local news anchor for nearly 20 years, Roby has covered some of the region's most destructive storms. As Executive Director, Roby's role has changed from reporting on storms to directly helping Red Cross volunteers and staff be ready to use their training to provide emergency relief, including safe shelter, supplies and other humanitarian relief during and after a storm.
"As the new Executive Director for the Chapter, I could not be more impressed with the dedication of our volunteers and staff. The Red Cross continues to work hard to ensure we are ready to fulfill our mission when the community needs us most. We cannot afford to be complacent because of the current lull of activity in the tropics. I have been busy working closely with volunteers--by attending training simulations and seminars--as well as communicating with local elected officials about the Red Cross' disaster relief commitments to the community. We hope that our trainings and preparations will not be needed this storm season, but we are ready to jump into action if a storm is forecasted to impact our area," said Roby, who oversees Red Cross programs and services in Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Okeechobee, and Indian River counties.
"With his extensive experience in the community, Eric Roby is an excellent addition to our South Florida regional leadership team. With the commitment, compassion and professionalism of our talented Red Cross staff and passionate volunteers, I know we will be ready for the next storm. We work year-round to ensure South Florida is prepared and that the Red Cross can provide a safe place to go if needed," said Josett Valdez, Regional CEO for the South Florida Red Cross.
To learn more about becoming a Red Cross volunteer, click here.
To learn more about how to prepare your family for storm season, including access to a host of mobile apps that makes storm preps easier, click here.
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/southflorida or visit us on Twitter at @SFLRedCross.
