The American Red Cross serving Kansas and Oklahoma hosted a multiday Regional Disaster Institute to provide advanced training to current disaster workers.

The institute offered tracks in logistics, government operations, community engagement and partnerships, and sheltering. Instruction included classroom training, plenary sessions, an emergency operations center visit and track-specific simulations. The institute also offered Disaster Cycle Services staff and volunteers valuable time to get to know each other and bond outside of a relief operation.

More than 50 people attended the institute, held Feb. 5–7 in Augusta, Kansas. As a result, the Red Cross serving Kansas and Oklahoma has 40 additional disaster workers qualified to be deployed as supervisors: 18 in mass care and sheltering, 13 in logistics, and nine in external relations.

“The Kansas-Oklahoma Region sees its share of disasters in any given year, so it’s important for our region to have experienced disaster workers who are qualified to lead others during relief operations,” said Shelly Webb, Regional Disaster Officer for the Red Cross serving Kansas and Oklahoma. “Our staff and volunteers are trusted members of their communities, and it’s reassuring to see people you know leading others through their darkest hours. I’m thankful for these disaster workers who chose to take the next step on their Red Cross paths.”

The disaster institute was also an opportunity to certify new instructors to offer training courses. A total of 11 instructors became authorized to teach 15 courses. Having an adequate number of instructors is crucial to ensuring that the region has enough trained disaster workers to respond during emergencies.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE — VOLUNTEER The Red Cross also needs new volunteers who can respond to disasters big and small. There are hundreds of disasters each year in the Kansas-Oklahoma Region; most of them are home fires. You can provide the comfort and hope someone nees. Visit redcross.org/volunteer to sign up.

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.