Red Cross needs your help Vernon County

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Vernon County's American Red Cross Disaster Action Team is looking for volunteers.

"We respond to disasters," team captain Chad Bailey said. "A lot of our calls are fires -- house fires, apartment fires. We assist the families -- make them comfortable."

The Disaster Action Team responds at the request of local emergency services and can provide a number of services to victims.

For example, a family suffers a catastrophic house fire in the middle of the night. The Disaster Action Team can provide basic clothing (typically sweat pants, sweat shirts, T-shirts), personal hygiene kits, and stuffed animals for the children.

They may also interview the family and assess the damage after a fire.

When needed, the Disaster Action Team can assist victims of a disaster with basic necessities beyond the initial needs -- housing, clothing, and shelter.

In addition to serving the victims of a disaster, the Disaster Action Team assists emergency responders -- firefighters, law enforcement, and medical -- providing drinks and snacks during large-scale emergencies.

"Their task is daunting, it's difficult. If we can make it a little bit easier, that's what we do," Bailey said.

In the event of a major disaster such as a tornado, or large chemical spill, the Disaster Action Team can set up an emergency shelter for victims or evacuees. The team coordinates emergency shelters with the Vernon County Office of Emergency Management.

The Disaster Action Team will also work with outsides agencies such as Missouri Baptist Disaster Relief, and Samaritans First.

"We work with the different groups to provide service," Bailey said

He explained the Disaster Action Team's priority is the victims, "so they have a safe place to rest while they try to figure out what's next."

In addition to the Disaster Action Team, American Red Cross hosts numerous blood drives around Vernon County each year. Local volunteers assist the mobile blood drive units when they visit the First Baptist Church in Nevada and Bronaugh High School.

Bailey said the Disaster Action Team currently has about 10 active members.

"That's what we really need to increase," Bailey said.

Bailey explained each volunteer has different and limited availability, "It's like any volunteer group, you're at the mercy of those who are available. The more volunteers you have, the more you can do."

"You never know when disaster is going to strike," he said. "Availability is important."

Bailey said anyone interested in volunteering for American Red Cross can apply online at http://www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer#step1 or call 1-866-206-0256 and someone will walk you through the application process, which includes a background check. Individuals must be 18 to volunteer for the Disaster Action Team.

Training is available for volunteers who want to participate in the Disaster Action Team, or want to assist in managing emergency shelters and in other skill areas.

Bailey said the greatest need locally is, "people that are willing to be on a list and if there is a fire, get in their car and go help."

Vernon County is part of the Southern Missouri chapter of the American Red Cross.

American Red Cross of Southern Missouri executive director Stacy Burks said, "The Southern Missouri chapter provides assistance throughout 29 counties with just over 100 active volunteers. Many people see our volunteers assist members of their community following a natural disaster likes flooding and tornadoes. But the most common disaster our volunteers respond to, almost on a daily basis, is a house fire. During the last six months the chapter has helped 220 families. In addition, as our local volunteers deploy to other states to help in communities where large scale natural disasters have taken place it leaves the chapter short-handed to respond to local needs."

Burks explained 90 percent of the American Red Cross humanitarian work is performed by volunteers.