Tropical storm Fay never struck Florida as a major storm, but it sure became a disaster anyway. Hitting the state a record four times, the storm caused major flooding and resulted in deaths in the Sunshine State.

It is proof again that disasters happen. And they can happen here.

When disaster strikes, the community expects the Red Cross to shelter, feed the survivors and emergency workers through mobile and fixed-feeding sites, provide an accurate and immediate damage assessment, ensure there is a Red Cross liaison in each county and government emergency operations center, set up bulk distribution sites and provide for the survivors’ basic disaster-caused needs of food, clothing, life-sustaining medicines, mental health services and temporary shelter.

How does the Red Cross manage to provide these services almost simultaneously?

“We provide this and much more during times of disasters because of caring and compassionate volunteers who want to help when their neighbors are in need,” said Cindy Smith, Greater Edisto Chapter executive director. “We are one part of a disaster-response community that consists of many agencies and faith-based organizations that help a community recover from disasters.”

The Greater Edisto Chapter was there for relief after tornadoes caused major destruction in Branchville and Allendale County in March. But what will happen if we face a larger threat? Are there enough volunteers to open 20 shelters and have them remain open for four or five days?

Such a response would require a minimum of 180 shelter managers/workers trained by the Red Cross, this is in addition to partners from the Department of Social Services and the Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Can the Red Cross provide a quick and accurate damage assessment if most of the local service area is affected by a disaster? To provide the damage assessment, the Red Cross needs at least 75 teams of two trained damage-assessment volunteers.

Can the Red Cross feed 30,000 survivors and emergency workers at 10-12 different fixed-feeding sites three meals a day, plus provide mobile feeding? It can with a minimum of 150 mass-care volunteers.

Can the Red Cross set up 10 bulk distribution sites locally? It can with another 100 volunteers.

The list goes on, but the reality is that the Red Cross needs many more trained volunteers before a disaster strikes.

In a disaster, hundreds of caring individuals want to help. They call the Red Cross and ask, “How can I help?”

Individuals and groups who know that if disaster strikes the community they would want to help can begin the process now by registering for the Red Cross “Ready to Respond” training session to be held Sept. 13 from 9-4:30 p.m. The day-long training will prepare a volunteer to become a Red Cross disaster volunteer.

We echo the Red Cross’ plea to faith-based organizations and churches, business and industry, governments and civic organization to take advantage of this free one-day training and help prepare the community to respond to the next large threat. Identify people willing to take this training and respond when needed.

Ready to Respond will be held at Cox Wood Preserving on Sept. 13. Participants are asked to bring a bagged lunch. The Red Cross will provide drinks and snacks.

To register, call Smith at 803-534-5735.

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