whether a disaster >> When that could happen
is still unknown. With FEMA in Wisconsin following
those devastating floods in and around Milwaukee. The
American Red Cross of Wisconsin is issuing what
it calls an urgent Call for Disaster Action Team
volunteers to help families both locally and nationwide.
Kathryn Halvorsen with the Red Cross of Wisconsin
joins us with more. And thanks very much for being
here. >> Absolutely. Happy to be
here. Thanks for having us. >> So I know that the Red
cross responded to work did people with the
Red cross do there? >> Yeah, absolutely. We you
know, we have had volunteers responding
around the clock to Milwaukee. Originally we
had opened two shelters and then consolidated to
Milwaukee Marshall High School, down to one
centralized location that was more accessible to the
clients that we were serving there. And we were
offering everything from a place to stay and eat, to
charge your phone. People can stay as long or as
little as they needed. And then on top of that, we
were always offering our wraparound services. So
mental health support, disaster support, casework
recovery resources outside of us. It takes a huge
effort and partnership in the community to be able to
help those that needed us most.
themselves of your services? >> Unbelievable. We had 100
local Wisconsin Red crossers respond, so we
started as a level three disaster, which is
basically still managed by the Wisconsin region. And
then we upped it to a level four disaster response
operation. So now we're starting to see that
national leadership support because the need is so
great. So it's great that now we have that national
leadership supporting us. >> So that sounds as though
the Red cross maintains a presence in Milwaukee.
>> Absolutely. Like I said, we've got seven levels for
disaster. And when you hit that four level for
disaster, we've folks from National that are really
stepping in now to support us and offer guidance and
leadership to our regional team. Of course, we don't
want anyone to get burnt out at the regional local
level. So I believe in total we have over 150
volunteers helping with Milwaukee Steil.
>> And now you're putting out an urgent call for
disaster volunteers. Why are you doing that?
>> Yeah. You know, we respond to 65,000 disasters
every single year. And in the Red cross, there's a
saying and it's we're in continuous disaster
response with disasters happening more frequently.
We're responding to a disaster, new disasters
within 15 days. So just to to mention too, while we
had this flooding happening in Milwaukee, we also had
to open a third shelter unrelated to the floods
because of an apartment complex fire that displaced
more than 40 people. So this is nothing new to the
Red cross. It's just about building that capacity. Now
we need more boots on the ground, helping us be there
for clients when it's needed most.
expect to be doing if they signed on?
>> Yeah, so we have a really great process. When
you sign up through Redcross.org volunteer, we
have a volunteer services team that is fielding all
these new applications, and then they go through the
process with you of determining where you think
your talents will be utilized best. So I will
say first and foremost, our biggest need position is
disaster Action Team. So you're the first people
helping families after a home fire or flood. Aside
from that, we have so many other positions sheltering
positions, casework, mental health care. It's really an
endless opportunities available to those who are
looking to make a difference. And it doesn't
require any previous training. We offer all the
training available through our volunteer connection
portal. Halvorsen, we leave it
there. But thank you and there. But thank you and