Northern Nevada sees increased need for emergency support in rural communities 

RENO, NV (January 14, 2021) The American Red Cross of Northern Nevada is seeking volunteers to join its Disaster Action Team (DAT), serving communities across northern Nevada.
“There is a great need for volunteers in this area of our chapter,” explained Robert Roth, volunteer recruitment specialist for the Northern Nevada Chapter. “While the Reno-Sparks areas enjoy a strong DAT volunteer base, we need to ensure that critical needs are met in other communities, especially in rural areas."
Members of the DAT team respond to local home fires, which can destroy nearly everything a family owns in a matter of minutes. Partnering with local fire departments, DAT volunteers connect with families to provide emotional support, emergency financial assistance along with information and resources to help families begin to recover.
For McGill resident and volunteer Stephen Dexter, a home fire of his own started his journey to joining the Red Cross as a volunteer. After recovering from the fire and rebuilding his home, he was “feeling beholden” for the support the Red Cross offered during his crisis. “They were the only ones to reach out to me after the fire,” Stephen explains.
Now, he wants to be ready to provide the same assistance that he received to others, especially living in a rural location. “I’m sure the needs during a crisis are the same anywhere,” Stephen says, but he thinks it’s especially important for folks to step up and volunteer in more remote places. “To me, living in a rural area means we’re surrounded by good people, real people. And I hope more of them will join me in volunteering with the Red Cross.” Read Stephen’s full story here.
Disaster volunteers receive training and are given the opportunity to increase their knowledge and experience through participation in other Red Cross training and volunteer programs. “Red Cross volunteers keep our communities strong. Without their energy, flexibility, and deeply giving hearts, we would not be able to carry out our mission,” Roth added.
To learn more about becoming a volunteer in your community, contact Robert Roth at: (702) 379-6529 or robert.roth2@redcross.org.