(April 8, 2026) Hagåtña, Guam — As typhoon season approaches, the American Red Cross Pacific Islands Region Guam Chapter is urging community members to take action now by becoming shelter volunteers and helping ensure Guam is ready to respond if disaster strikes. Throughout April, in recognition of National Volunteer Month, the Guam Red Cross is offering free shelter volunteer training for residents willing to support their neighbors during emergencies.

Shelter volunteers play a vital role after disasters by helping open and operate emergency shelters and providing care, comfort and support to people whose homes may be unsafe. Volunteers make up more than 90% of the Red Cross workforce and are essential to ensuring a fast, compassionate disaster response across Guam.

“Volunteers are the true heart of the Red Cross, and that matters deeply here in Guam,” said Ken Quintanilla, executive director of the American Red Cross Pacific Islands Region Guam Chapter. “Our work begins immediately after a disaster, as we provide care, compassion and support. On an island where disasters can happen quickly, having trained community members ready to help makes all the difference. Becoming a shelter volunteer is a meaningful way to support your neighbors and strengthen your own community. For more than a century, it has been our volunteers who keep this mission strong and alive.”

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Volunteers are more critical than ever as the climate crisis fuels more frequent and intense disasters and the need for shelter, hot meals, health services and emotional support continues to grow. The Red Cross now responds to nearly twice as many major disasters as it did a decade ago.

With typhoon season approaching, there is an urgent need to fill vital volunteer roles. To help meet this demand, the Guam Red Cross is offering free 2.5-hour shelter volunteer training throughout April, available both online and in person, for individuals ages 18 and older. The training prepares volunteers to support shelter operations, client care and the opening and closing of emergency shelters. Opportunities include long-term service and potential disaster deployments across U.S. territories and the mainland United States.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE:

Shelter Services: Support daily shelter operations such as reception, registration, feeding, dormitory management and sharing information. Free online training is provided.

Disaster Action Team Member: Respond to home fires and local emergencies by providing immediate assistance, emotional support and recovery resources.

Smoke Alarm Installation: Support free smoke alarm installation efforts that help prevent home fire deaths and injuries.

Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to visit redcross.org/volunteer or email guamchapter@redcross.org for more information. Training is free, and the support you provide as a Red Cross volunteer can make a life-changing difference during disasters.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

When disaster strikes, the American Red Cross provides safe shelter, meals, relief supplies, financial assistance, health services and comfort to people affected.

• Red Cross disaster assistance is available to everyone in need, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability or citizenship status.
• Red Cross emergency shelters are safe, welcoming places where anyone affected by a disaster can stop by for a hot meal, a place to charge their phone or other support. Identification is not required, and people do not have to stay overnight.
• Volunteers treat everyone with dignity and respect and help meet a wide range of needs, including disabilities, access or mobility needs, mental health concerns and chronic health conditions.
• Service animals are welcome in Red Cross shelters. Pets are also welcome and may be housed in a nearby location with support from animal welfare partners.
• All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by the generosity of donors and volunteers.

TYPHOON PREPAREDNESS

The Red Cross encourages all Guam residents to prepare now for typhoon season by assembling emergency preparedness kits, creating family communication plans and staying informed through trusted local alerts and weather updates. Having trained shelter volunteers in place before storms develop helps ensure shelters can open quickly and safely when they are needed most.

BEFORE THE STORM

• Be prepared to evacuate immediately if local officials advise. Bring your go‑kit and any pets. Don’t return home until officials say it is safe.
• Download the free Red Cross Emergency app for real-time alerts, expert advice in English and Spanish and information on open shelters.
• Follow evacuation routes and do not take shortcuts, as roads may be blocked.
• Don’t walk, swim or drive through floodwaters. Turn around, don’t drown!
• f officials do not recommend evacuating, take shelter in an interior room away from windows and glass doors.
• Move to higher ground before flooding begins.

Make one plan to evacuate and another to shelter safely at home so you are prepared for either scenario, depending on guidance from local officials. Always include pets in your plans.

• If you need to evacuate, plan where you will go, how you will get there and where you will stay.
• Mobile, manufactured or trailer homes and recreational vehicles are not safe during hurricanes and tropical storms. Plan to relocate to a sturdier structure.
• If you can stay home, be ready to live without power, water, gas, phone and internet for a week or longer, depending on the storm.

Prepare Your Home in Advance

• Cover windows with permanent storm shutters or plywood.
• Bring outdoor items such as lawn furniture and trash cans inside or secure them so they cannot become wind-borne debris.
• Clean out drains, gutters and downspouts to prepare for heavy rain.
• Check with loved ones and neighbors to see if they need help preparing.

In-person media interviews available:
Ken Quintanilla, Executive Director
American Red Cross Pacific Islands Region Guam Chapter
Email: guamchapter@redcross.org