Avalon Hosts Red Cross Shelter Training Class for Volunteers

AVALON – More than two dozen residents of Avalon and surrounding Cape May County communities came to the Avalon Volunteer Fire Department Thursday evening, Oct. 27 to receive formal training on how to assist the American Red Cross at an evacuation shelter.
“We are thrilled that so many local volunteers came to Avalon to receive this formal training and certification from the American Red Cross”, said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “Everyone learned lessons during the Hurricane Irene event in August. We know it’s not ‘if’ the next big storm hits, it’s ‘when’, and this training will greatly assist shelters and people who are in need during our next event”.
The Borough of Avalon partnered with the American Red Cross to provide local residents with this free shelter training course. The Borough presented a power point presentation to the volunteers that discussed the problems that arise during a storm event and evacuation. They include gathering personal items and documents, heeding the warning of an evacuation, identifying evacuation routes, staying at a shelter, and planning to a return back to a community.
The American Red Cross provided two experts to train the class, Matthew Maxwell and Yvonne Luengo. The Red Cross covered many important topics for shelter volunteers, including American Red Cross Shelter Registration Forms that identify and keep track of every individual who enters a shelter. Volunteers also learned about assembling a “Shelter Manager’s Kit” that provides for organization of the shelter and comfort for shelter visitors. Volunteers also learned about registration, nutrition, dormitory management, disaster health services, and other issues that come up at a shelter.
During the Hurricane Irene event in August, Avalon volunteers located, secured, and operated a shelter to help residents in need from the community. The American Red Cross has complimented Avalon volunteers for stepping up to operate the shelter and provide the food and other supplies needed for the evacuees. Many of those shelter operators were on hand to take the training class and provided valuable input. Avalon shelter volunteers were acknowledged by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie during a special event in Trenton on Oct. 26.
“During a storm event, some people assume the cavalry will come from some entity to provide for all of their needs during a storm event”, Pagliughi said. “Well, we are our own cavalry and I believe communities need to take responsibility for the sheltering needs for their own people. Avalon has developed a multi-tiered plan that includes evacuation, communication, transportation, sheltering, pet sheltering, and the recovery of our community after a storm event. Thanks to this terrific partnership with the American Red Cross we are able to provide not only shelter training classes in Avalon but also provide a process that other communities can adjust to better serve their residents as well”. Mayor Pagliughi also serves the Borough of Avalon as its official Emergency Management Coordinator.
For more information about the American Red Cross and shelter training please visit the official website for the Southern Shore Chapter of the American Red Cross at www.accredcross.org.