American Red Cross, Cape Cod and Islands Chapter offers FREE Volunteer classes at Harwich Community School, starting March 11th

Classes run three hours for six consecutive weeks

HYANNIS - The American Red Cross, Cape Cod and Islands Chapter offers Free Volunteer classes at Harwich Community School, starting Wednesday, March 11th, 2009. Each class will run 3 hours, every Wednesday for 6 consecutive Wednesdays. There are no pre-requisites and no fees. This course is open to all ages, 18 and up, who would like to become Red Cross Volunteers. 

Volunteers are trained to work in various fields of expertise, including participating in your local community activities, responding to a local disaster (house fire, airplane crash, oil spill), or deploying to different parts of our nation where a disaster has struck (Katrina, California wildfires, Iowa floods, Western Massachusetts Ice storms). 

Become a Red Cross Volunteer classes will be held at the Harwich Community School, Oak Street, across from the High School. To sign up for this class is only possible through calling Michael Robbins or Becky Alden at 508-775-1540 ext. 24  and indicating: Disaster Volunteer Class in Harwich or by sending an email to: train@cciredcross.org. Please provide your name, town, and telephone number.

The schedule is as follows:

• March 11:       Fulfilling Our Mission
• March 18:       Mass Care
• March 25:       Shelter Operations
• April 1:            Shelter Simulation
• April 8:            Psychological First Aid
• April 15:          Review and Graduation

Classes start promptly at 6PM and usually run 3 hours. A Federal Background check is required of all participants. You must attend all six classes.  However, there may be some make-up dates available.  Other Red Cross volunteers may take a class depending on classroom space availability.

After the class, you will understand the Mission and Philosophy of the Red Cross that reaches worldwide.  You will learn how to work in a shelter and assist affected people while driving an ERV (Emergency Response Vehicle).  You will learn the steps taken to assist clients in the event of an emergency.  You will also learn first hand from other volunteers who have traveled near and far, talk about their experiences with the Red Cross. Once you have completed this course, you will be a certified Red Cross Volunteer and eligible to take CPR/AED, and First Aid Training classes FREE OF CHARGE.

To register, please contact the Training Administrator at 508-775-1540 ext. 24 and indicate: Disaster Volunteer Class in Harwich. Please provide your name, town, and telephone number. You can also register by sending an email to Michael Robbins or Becky Alden at train@cciredcross.org

The training of volunteers is only possible thanks to the donations from members of the local community, individuals, businesses and foundations. The Red Cross does not receive government funding for its disaster relief services. For more information about the Cape Cod and Islands Chapter, American Red Cross, go to the website, capecodandislandsredcross.org, call (508) 775-1540 or write to American Red Cross, Cape Cod and Islands Chapter, 286 South Street, Hyannis, MA 02601.

Release courtesy of the C & I Red Cross.