Deadline is March 31 for Red Cross emergency shelter training

March 31 is the sign-up deadline for a free American Red Cross training course to certify area residents to volunteer in both general population and special needs emergency shelters.

To help build the number of trained volunteers needed to operate Emergency Shelters in Vernon County that open in response to tornados, flood, ice storms and other disasters that could impact Nevada and Vernon County, the regional Independent Living Center On My Own, Inc. -- in cooperation with the Vernon County Chapter of the American Red Cross and Vernon County Emergency Management -- has scheduled the Red Cross training "Shelter Operations and Simulation."

This is a one-day trainingsession, scheduled for Saturday, April 12, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Osage Prairie YMCA in Nevada. The training is free and lunch will be provided.

Volunteers willing to train to become shelter staff may register for the training by calling On My Own, Inc. Services for Independent Living Director Pat Chambers. The phone number is (417) 667-7007, ext.18. The registration deadline for the class is Monday, March 31, at 4 p.m.

"It will take a large number of volunteers to staff two or more shelters" said Chambers. " In a worst-case scenario these shelters may need to remain in operation around the clock for several days. Disaster victims will be counting on us; can we count on you to be there for them?"