Red Cross Volunteers Find Shelter in Atlanta Area Church
 
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March 23, 2010
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Shelter Simulation Coincides with Start of Severe Weather Season in Georgia
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More than 200 Atlanta Red Cross volunteers took part in a Shelter Drill March 20th to prepare for the community’s next big disaster. Role playing staged at Northlake Church of Christ increased skills and knowledge of how to work together to aid clients. (Photo: Alison Tyrer, Atlanta Red Cross Public Affairs Volunteer.)
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ATLANTA: (March 23, 2010) - Metro Atlanta’s Red Cross put its disaster shelter plan to the test this past weekend in preparation for the 2010 severe weather season. The Red Cross conducted a shelter simulation, complete with a working kitchen and an array of Red Cross emergency response vehicles at Northlake Church of Christ (1625 Cooledge Rd, Tucker, GA 30084), during which volunteers got a practical review of shelter management following a major local disaster.
Up to 25 posed as shelter residents, and experienced what it would be like to make a large - scale shelter their home away from home. More than 175 additional volunteers posed as shelter staff, managing unique situations involving clients with disabilities, children separated from parents and clients in need of medical or emotional support. All volunteers learned how to address common shelter issues while working to provide quality services to clients.
“We’re entering the time of year when severe storms can be a very real threat, displacing many residents in our community,” said Marilyn Self, manager of readiness for the Metro Atlanta Red Cross. “While we hope that shelters won’t be necessary this season, we will continue to fine tune our shelter plan so that we can provide the highest level of service to all of our clients.”
The Disaster Shelter Simulation is one of the many steps that the Red Cross is taking to prepare for the 2010 severe weather season and potential large-scale disasters. Approximately 1,200 local Red Cross volunteers are trained to help with mass sheltering and feeding of disaster victims. The simulation review will provide an opportunity for the Metro Atlanta Chapter to exercise its Disaster Shelter plan, build a stronger group of disaster volunteers and strengthen relationships with its disaster relief partners.
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